It's a cop-out!

Rarely has so little entertained so many.

In the heyday of It's A Knockout, peak audiences of 19million would switch on to watch battles between giant Tweedledums and Tweedledees or opposing teams run around with leaky buckets.

A mix of madcap humour and physical tasks - and presented by an always chuckling Stuart Hall - the show ran on the BBC from 1972 to 1982.

But then the corporation decided it was too 'down market' and axed it.

In 1987, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Princess Royal and Prince Edward took part in a royal version of the show.

Called the Grand Knockout Tournament, it raised more than £1.5million for charity.

Channel 5 brought the programme back in 1999, with Keith Chegwin as host, but it failed to find popularity and was scrapped that year.

Now, in slightly different guise, the show seems set for another comeback. ITV has unveiled the £10million highlight of its summer season for Saturday nights - a new show called Simply The Best.

But already it's been branded a rehash of It's A Knockout with a few celebrities thrown in.

Much like the old BBC programme, it will feature obstacle courses, water sports and vats of foam.

Two teams of eight people, representing a UK town or city, will compete against each other in a series of 'wacky' games set on the Jersey waterfront.

One show insider revealed that the production is expected to be so big the Jersey tourism board has been asked to find up to 3,000 hotel rooms over the four-week filming period.

'It's going to be a huge show, with all the whistles and bells,' said the source. 'But quite a few people are wondering whether it's really innovative or whether it's just a rehash of It's A Knockout.'

ITV bosses have approached 50 celebrities, including Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, to take part.

Some of the stars will head the teams. The show will also feature a performance from a music act and a special celebrity guest who will help present.