Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker is set to make a grand return to television screens as the host of a brand new gameshow on ITV, dubbed 'The Box'. This exciting development comes after his departure from the BBC in May.
Lineker, a former England football captain and previously the highest-paid on-air personality at the BBC, parted ways with the corporation following an apology for amplifying online material with antisemitic connotations. Now, he's poised to lead ITV's charge into Saturday night entertainment.
According to reports, 'The Box' is a gameshow format where celebrities are placed in individual boxes and tasked with various challenges. Filming is yet to commence, but the show is expected to secure a prime Saturday night slot, aiming to fill a similar flagship role as ITV's popular 'Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'.
While ITV declined to comment officially, sources indicate significant enthusiasm for the show within the network. One insider reportedly told The Sun: "The Box is massive in Norway, and the rights were quickly sold to Denmark and now the UK. ITV are really excited about it and believe they have finally found a worthy successor to Saturday Night Takeaway."
The source added, "They have long been sniffing around Gary and just needed to find the right format for him. They’re confident they’ve found that now, and the BBC’s loss is their gain.”
The buzz around 'The Box' has been growing internationally as broadcasters seek the next big hit following the success of shows like 'Traitors' and 'Destination X'. The format involves 12 celebrity contestants confined to separate boxes over 10 episodes, facing unpredictable and entertaining challenges. Ghanaians should prepare for a new weekend favourite with Lineker at the helm.
What to Expect from 'The Box'
- Celebrity contestants facing unique challenges.
- A prime Saturday night slot on ITV.
- A high-energy, entertaining format.
- Gary Lineker's charismatic hosting.