Kids Television: The Shows We Want To See Back On The Box

If the words 'Byker Grove,' 'The Queen's Nose' or 'Round The Twist' mean anything to you, listen up.

The Crystal Maze is set for a comeback in October after 21 years away from our screens and David Tennant is reportedly in the running to take over Richard O'Brien's role as host of the hit 1990s escape show. 

According to reports, Channel 4 is bringing back the show for a one-off celebrity special.

The celebs will reportedly be expected to battle through different time zones to take part in a series of challenges to win 'time crystals' for 'The Crystal Dome'.

(Even writing the words 'crystal maze' is getting us excited so who knows how we'll react to the actual programme.)

As a result, we've rounded up the ELLE team to find out which kids television shows they wish would also return to our screens:

Unsah Malik, Social media manager

My parents are aliens

Every single day after school, because my mum said I wasn't allowed to watch Tracy Beaker (I don't know, something about yelling at your elders...). I loved Mel Barker — always wanted her hair!

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Hannah Nathanson, Commissioning editor 

Five Children and It

Because the idea of a sand-fairy – 'It' - was both a little bit terrifying and totally magical, and made me love going to the beach.  I also loved the way It would shimmy out of the sand. Looking back at the show now, there were also some important life lessons (mainly: be careful what you wish for) wrapped up in all the quaintness. They don't make Kids TV like this anymore.

Hannah Swerling, Content Director

Clarissa Explains It All

I can't even really remember what this show was about, but I remember that I loved Melissa Joan Hart (star of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, another classic). Clarissa had a whole lot of chutzpah, nailed a side ponytail and could pull off a heavy patterned t-shirt like nobody's business.

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Katie O'Malley, Digital writer

Recess 

The second I heard that school bell and drum beats I would rush downstairs to the lounge with my brother to watch Recess. Of course, Spinelli was my TV heroine with her inimitable sass, tomboy attitude and biker jacket. Although, I must admit, I also wanted to be an Ashley Q (you know, the one in blue?) simply because she was a fellow brunette and their tyre-built clubhouse was the den of dreams. 'Oooh scandalous.'

Heather Gwyther, Fashion Assistant

Tracy Beaker

Jacqueline Wilson forever. 

Elizabeth Cooney, Senior Designer

Arthur

I watched it every.single.day. DW was an absolute boss and is probably one of the most underrated characters on TV.

Plus, this song: 'Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card.' They knew what was up.

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Sophie Beresiner, Beauty Director

Earthworm Jim

No one I know has even heard of this, let alone watched it, but it definitely helped form my childhood. Animated, hilarious, weird, amazing.

Harriet Stewart, Retail Market Editor

Baywatch, Blind Date and then Gladiators

No Saturday evening was ever complete without the holy trinity of TV shows. 

Lena De Casparis, Culture & special projects director

Daria

Serving up all the side-eye and plenty of sass – Daria Morgendorffer got me through my early teens. The 90s icon, whose motto was: 'The world is my oyster, yet I can't seem to get it open,' along with her sarky best friend Jane Lane (what a name!), were everything I wanted to be, and made all those miserable school days feel wholly less awful. 

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But where are they now? I'd like to see what Daria is doing in her 30s. Is she still as disappointed with life? Did Jane make it as an artist? Does Daria's sister Quinn now work in fashion? Bring it back!

Lara Ferros, Picture Editor

Knight Rider, Sienfeld, Buck Rogers

There was a lot of good TV in Canada when I grew up.

Viet Tran, Designer

Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Purely for Salem – that salem sass. 

Debbie Black, Managing Editor

The Wonder Years!

Plain and simple.