Daryl Somers returns new hypnotic TV show ‘You’re Back In The Room’

JUST when you thought television had placed this Saturday TV icon to bed, he’s back — and Daryl Somers is literally sending people to sleep.

HEY, hey, Daryl Somers is back to play.

The showbiz legend, 64, who became a household name thanks to iconic Aussie show Hey Hey It’s Saturday is back in harness for Channel Nine, this week wrapping filming on new network offering You’re Back In The Room.

The show, to air later this year, is a game show based on a UK format in which contestants try to win cash prizes after being hypnotised by Irish hypnotist, mentalist and magician Keith Barry.

Somers is host, and after a marathon week of filming in Sydney, the veteran showman confessed the new gig had drawn on every bit of his experience in more than four decades in the business.

The man — who became the master of ad-libbing — had to make changes of his own for the new gig — including using an autocue for the first time in his career.

“I’ve never used one before — and I mostly didn’t on this — I would use it, but I felt when I was using it I didn’t feel as much spontaneity,” he confessed.

“All my career I’ve just winged it. I’m more comfortable with that.”

He’s certainly comfortable with being back on Nine — where he spent the bulk of his career save for a stint hosting Dancing With The Stars on rival network Seven from 2004 to 2007.

Daryl Somers is returning to TV to host a new hypnosis show for Channel 9 in 2016. Hey Hey It's Saturday also possibly set for a comeback. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Somers hasn’t been seen regularly on TV screens since 2010, when Hey Hey It’s Saturday, revived by Nine for two reunion specials in 2009, then given a 20-show run in 2010, was not renewed. The original run of Hey Hey spanned 28 years, ending in 1999.

Since 2010, Somers had spent time performing theatre in shows including Hot Shoe Shuffle and Guys and Dolls.

Somers said he jumped at the chance to host the new show after being sent a YouTube link of the UK format.

“Then I met with (Nine’s Director of Television) Michael Healy and he said ‘how are you Daryl?’ and I said ‘well I’m fine’ and he said ‘No you’re not, you’re getting drowsy,’ and by the end of the meeting I’d agreed to the new show,” Somers said.

“It’s nice to be back in harness especially for a show like this. It’s unpredictable and new and I’m so glad I didn’t bugger it up.”

News of Somers’ return to TV when Nine announced You’re Back In the Room last year had a mixed reception — from critics saying “what were you thinking?’ to diehard Hey Hey fans, who continue to campaign for that show’s revival, being given fresh hope.

Somers refuses to draw the curtain on that prospect.

“Never say never. There are still people who would love to see Hey Hey back,” he said.

“There has been talk of another special or something, but for now the whole focus is on You’re Back In The Room.”