Dara O Briain is hosting new video game TV show 'Go 8 Bit'.

Dara O Briain

Dara O Briain

The 44-year-old comedian - who is an avid gamer - will front the programme for Dave which will see a host of celebrities battle it out against each other on classic and contemporary games such as 'Pac-Man', 'Grand Theft Auto' and 'Fallout'.

The series is based on the stage show of the same name and Dara will present the programme alongside gaming expert Ellie Gibson and team captains Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon - who created the original production - and he admits it is a dream job for him.

Dara - who will be hosting the BAFTA British Academy Games Awards in April - said: "Put a video game controller in the hands of a nun and she'll turn into a trash-talking bloodthirsty monster. Give a controller to a comedian and they'll do that too, but be funny. In video games veritas, my friends. This show is a raucous, back-biting, properly competitive celebration of the world's favourite pastime."

The six-part series will air on Dave this autumn and the channel hopes it will attract lots of gaming fans.

Steve North, the general manager of Dave, said: "'Go 8 Bit' is a very funny stage show with a cult following. We love working with the comedy community to bring successful stage shows to the Dave audience, as we did with Alex Horne's 'Taskmaster'. Dara on board makes it a perfect fit for Dave."

Dara is set for a busy 2016 as he has already been confirmed to be the presenter of the BBC's rebooted 'Robot Wars' television series.