ITV viewers break down in tears at new show hailed 'television at its best' - begging bosses for 'another series and longer episodes'

Daily Mail​

29-04-2025

ITV viewers have broken down in tears at a new show hailed 'television at its best' - and have begged bosses for 'another series and longer episodes'.
The Assembly, which hit our screens last weekend (April 26), sees a number of celebrities questioned by a group of people who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled.
The programme has already seen actors Danny Dyer and David Tennant get quizzed, and Little Mix 's Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker will be grilled later on in the series.
It has received rave reviews since it aired and many have flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
One said: 'Just watch #TheAssembly with Danny dyer what a fantastic show, I ended up crying my eyes out, very emotional but fantastic questions it was great.'
'Just finished watching The Assembly. Unbelievable television. Heartwarming, and honest from beautiful people. Danny Dyer and David Tennant are superb, the singing is superb, loved every minute.'
'This show better be renewed and for longer episodes and a longer run. It's so heartwarming and television at its best.'
'Watching #TheAssembly on ITVX, wow what a brilliant idea with no questions off limit and I'm sure the celebrities got as much out of it as the interviewers. Hope they make more episodes.'
'Anybody watch #TheAssembly on STV (ITV I suppose) bloody hell.. I'm a blubbering wreck.'
'I have just watched #TheAssembly and I was crying my eyes out, so emotional, what a great programme, what I love about you is you are honest and what you see is what you get, I wish more people in the media were like that! Now let's see what Mr Tennant's is like.'
'What a series. One episode after the other- original, challenging, creative and emotional. Leaves you feeling wanting more.'
'OMG how beautiful is The Assembly? Unmissable uplifting television. 10/10.'
ITV's official synopsis reads: 'Each episode of The Assembly sees a different celebrity forced to cast aside everything they were ever taught by their media trainers as they face their most honest, funny, chaotic – and heartwarming – interview yet.
'The celebrities on the line-up – to be announced in due course – come from various corners of the showbiz world, and with each of them enjoying illustrious careers in their respective fields, the list of subject matters for our unique collective to explore is endless.
And it has received rave reviews since it aired and many have flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts
'No area is out of bounds and no question is off the table. Carefully considered PR fluff won't cut it on this show!'
The Assembly first aired on the BBC and the 30-minute pilot starred Michael Sheen.
But this show is based on the French show Les Rencontres du Papotin, which was created by Kiosco TV and Quad Ten, and is distributed by Can't Stop Media.
Director of Entertainment & Daytime ITV Katie Rawcliffe said of the new show: 'The Assembly is such a distinct, clever and authentic format, and one that we're absolutely thrilled to commission for a full first series for ITV1 and ITVX.
'I can't wait for The Assembly interviewers to ask our brilliant cast of celebrities a plethora of burning questions, which will no doubt make for must watch TV.'
Executive Producers for Rockerdale Studios, Michelle Singer and Stu Richards, added: 'We're absolutely buzzing to be bringing The Assembly to ITV and delighted that, just like us, the team there want to see more of telly's most mischievous cast putting proper famous types under the microscope.
'This show will be funny and naughty and warm and smart and, bloody hell, we've got ourselves all worked up now…
'We just cannot wait to make it.'
It comes after singer Jade - who shot to fame as part of Little Mix on The X Factor in 2011 - admits that she 'sold her soul' for fame as she slammed Simon Cowell on the show.
During her episode, she's asked if she felt as if she had 'sold her soul', to which she replied: 'You've trumped me. Maybe a little bit in the beginning. I was so young and I just signed on the dotted line.
'But as the years have gone by I've learned more and more about the industry
'I've been collecting — a bit like [Marvel superhero] Thanos with the stones — I've been collecting parts of my soul back as I've gained more creative freedom.'
The Assembly airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.