Instead, however, it turns out that Merchant is the lucky man.

The comedian will be hosting a one-off celebrity special version of the maze as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer campaign this October.

The news was confirmed today in a post on the Channel 4 website.

"As a huge fan of the original series, I’m honoured to support Stand Up To Cancer by hosting this one-off edition of The Crystal Maze,” Merchant said. “Richard O’Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole leave big shoes to fill, but I have size 14 feet, so I’ll do my best."

As yet, there’s no word on who the celebrities will be – but the announcement promises “famous faces from the worlds of entertainment and sport”.

Perhaps wires got crossed somehow, and Tennant will be one of the contestants taking on the maze?

Other shows coming to Channel 4 this Autumn as part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign include a four-part celebrity series of The Island with Bear Grylls, which will see contestants left to fend for themselves on a wild(ish) island.

The original Nineties version of Crystal maze was hosted by Richard O’Brien (1990-1993) and Ed Tudor-Pole (1993-1995).