First look at Gary Lineker in new ITV role on 'unpredictable and thrilling' show
The series is produced by Twofour (part of ITV Studios), and the creators of BBC's new reality competition show Destination X fronted by Gavin and Stacey's Rob Brydon.
The Box is said to catapult the celebrity contestants into a show unlike any other. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
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Each episode will present the celebrities with unexpected reveals, unique games, and an engaging series arc - as every week two players will face The Duel, a dramatic show finale which will see the loser exiting the competition for good.
The former football player is excited to take on the new challenge of hosting the show. Gary said: "I can't wait to host The Box. 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!"
ITV's Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, Katie Rawcliffe commented: "Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format."
Chief Content Officer at Twofour, Dan Adamson also expressed his excitement about the project. He said: "We're delighted to be making The Box with ITV and Seefood TV. From the first time we saw those iconic yellow boxes open in an incredible location we were hooked.
"Now, with Gary on board we have the ideal Master of Ceremonies to make this real event telly, he is after all a man who knows what it's like under pressure in the box. He's sure to raise the competitive spirit as our cast bursts out of those boxes, into unknown, ambitious and spectacular challenges."
Not only are Twofour responsible for Gary's new series and Destination X but the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning unscripted label that is part of ITV Studios, has quickly become a hub for top global travel, reality and adventure formats. These include I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl for the BBC, The Reluctant Traveller for Apple TV+, and the recently announced The Heat for ITV.
First aired in Norway in January this year, The Box was conceived and produced by Seefood TV and has promptly been commissioned for a second series, with other territories following suit to secure their own versions.
Meanwhile, the series will be filmed in the UK later this year and broadcast on ITV in 2026. The show is being pitched as a spiritual successor to Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
This move to ITV comes as the 64-year-old former Match of the Day presenter left the BBC earlier this year following controversy over a social media post.
Lineker's emotional departure from the BBC in May saw him end his 25-year tenure on Match of the Day amid an antisemitism row.
The former England striker had posted a pro-Palestinian video on Instagram that included a rat emoji, prompting criticism and accusations of promoting a harmful trope.
Lineker later apologised, saying he was unaware of the symbol's connotations and added: 'I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for."
His final broadcast for the BBC featured a tribute montage and a visibly emotional farewell, during which Lineker said: 'It's been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It's been utterly joyous.
"Thank you for all your love and support over the years.'
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