Gary Lineker is to host new ITV game show format, The Box, following his departure from the BBC.
The former Match of the Day presenter said of the new role:
“I’ve always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch, and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar.
“The contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control.
“It’s going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I’m excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action!”
It’s not the first time Lineker has hosted a game show on the channel, having done 2 series of Sitting on a Fortune a couple of years ago, which was filmed at dock10.
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The Box is being made by Twofour and is based on the Norwegian hit developed by Seefood TV for TV2. It was one of the biggest selling formats of the previous 12 months, with ITV landing the UK rights in February.
“The response to The Box worldwide has been incredible—almost overwhelming in the best way. Bringing it to the UK with ITV is a major achievement and a significant next step for our format,” said Aleksander Herresthal, Chief Creative Officer at Seefood TV.
“From the moment I connected with ITV, I knew this would be the perfect home for the format. The creative team truly valued the content, and they challenged our ideas while they stayed true to the premise. Their insightful questions showed a deep commitment to fully understanding the concept and elevating it to new heights. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration you want – working with people who strive to refine and enhance an idea, shaping it into something exceptional. ITV’s passion for bold, high-energy entertainment is exactly what The Box needs, and I can’t wait to see how they make it their own.”
BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have been racing to find the next reality follow-up to The Traitors, with BBC buying Destination X, Channel 4 commissioning The Inheritance and now The Box for ITV, where contestants leave yellow boxes in random locations, to compete in games that they don’t know anything about.
“Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format,” said Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning at ITV.
