Dutch TV presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk returns as game-show host

Matthijs van Nieuwkerk is making his return to Dutch television, this time as the host of a Saturday-night prime-time game show on SBS6.

The 65-year-old presenter disappeared from television after allegations of inappropriate conduct emerged in the newsroom of his talk show, “De wereld draait door.” Employees described a culture of fear, extreme outbursts of anger and public humiliation. Van Nieuwkerk had presented the program for 15 years, and it ranked among the most-watched shows on Dutch television.

A return through commercial broadcaster RTL became known in 2023, but his planned comeback in spring 2024 was postponed after new allegations emerged. Earlier this year, reports said he would present a travel program centered on Aretha Franklin.

He will now also host “The Golden Elevators.” In the game show, contestants try to reach the top as quickly as possible by repeatedly choosing between two elevators. Van Nieuwkerk described the opportunity in Dutch media as “a completely unexpected, cheerful stroke of luck.”

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A completely unexpected, cheerful stroke of luck.