Future of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show revealed as show reaches major milestone
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show will hit a major milestone thanks to a bumper new order.
The BBC has commissioned two more series of the variety programme, taking it to a landmark 10th run.
And it’s a double celebration for the comic as the Beeb has also asked for two more series of his other Saturday-night ratings winner, The Wheel.
Filming of the celebrity-led game show’s sixth series is under way and production of Big Show will start in July — meaning Michael’s TV hits will continue well into 2026.
Michael said: “I’m so proud of the success of both The Big Show and The Wheel.
“This will take the Big Show up to its tenth series, which is an amazing achievement for everyone involved.
“The Wheel was a show we made in lockdown while we couldn’t film the Big Show. It’s become equally beloved.”
And he joked: “Someone came up to me recently and said they “loved The Big Wheel”.
I have no idea whether they meant The Big Show, The Wheel or both shows. They may have just come from The London Eye.”
The Wheel’s most recent season was seen by 5.3million people — its biggest series since its 2020 launch — while Big Show averaged 5.9million last series.
It comes despite an awkward setback for the latter thanks to Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott’s stint on the Midnight Gameshow in January.
The Sun told how Sam was so terrified when Michael and his crew arrived to surprise the duo, he reached for a knife.
Later confirming the story on his Staying Relevant podcast, Sam said: “It is so terrifying, he comes in at 2am.
“The bedroom door was locked, so it was even scarier to us, I woke up to Zara going, ‘Sam, someone’s twisting the door knob’, and I was like, ‘We’re in A Nightmare on Elm Street’.
“I got a knife out my drawer. It was there from opening Christmas presents in bed.
“I can’t even describe the feeling of being so shocked, and half asleep.”
The Midnight Gameshow will be back, as well as other much-loved features including ‘Unexpected Star’, ‘Send to All’ and ‘Remember Me’.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “We’re committed to bringing our audiences unmissable Saturday Night entertainment that brings everyone together in front of the TV.
There can be no doubt that Michael has well and truly cemented his position as Mr Saturday Night on the BBC.”
KSI suffers melt-clown
BRITAIN’S Got Talent judge KSI decided some clowning around was in order to get his own back on his mischievous brother – who was seen at the weekend pranking him on the show.
In a fake audition, his sibling Deji pretended to be a masked magician, who then got him onto the BGT stage.
He blindfolded KSI and inflicted on him his worst nightmare – the sensation of insects crawling on his face.
It was only after the “torture” – which was actually just a cluster of feathers – that Deji revealed his identity, much to the amusement and fury of KSI.
So on yesterday’s Lorraine show, which featured Deji as a guest, KSI got his own back by getting a creepy clown to make his brother jump mid-interview.
KSI was seen relishing every moment of his TV revenge via a live link.
That’s brotherly love/hate for you.
Focus on Holly stalker
Holly Willoughby’s stalker Gavin Plumb will be at the focus of a third documentary into his crimes in a new Discovery+ series that goes behind the scenes of the British police.
The eight-part series, which is being made under the working title of Inside The Arrest, will dive into some of the most high-profile arrests in recent years, including the predator who was jailed for life for plotting to abduct, rape and murder the TV presenter.
It follows on from a documentary on the BBC ahead of Plumb’s sentencing last summer, and Channel 5’s upcoming feature-length special into the case.
The crimes of murderers Thomas Cashman, who shot and killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, and Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents, will also feature in the new series.
Each episode will use police bodycam footage to analyse the arrests.
Natalie is plot twist
Former Emmerdale actress Natalie Anderson will be the latest star to tread the cobbles – as the secret wife of “gay” scaffolder Theo.
Natalie plays Danielle, Theo’s wife of 19 years, who is unaware of her hubby’s romance with Todd, played by Gareth Pierce.
Todd will be floored when he realises the reason Theo (James Cartwright) has been blowing hot and cold is because he’s married.
Natalie said of her role: “Danielle’s a shapeshifter, so you never really know what you’re going to get with her.
“I’m delighted to be stepping onto the cobbles. I did have a little tear, as I felt immense pride walking around the set.”
ITV has celebrated a record-breaking start to the year with more than a billion streams.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale clocked up 124million streams on ITVX in the first three months, with a further 300million streams on dramas Playing Nice, Protection and Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.
A new look at Laura
Gavin and Stacey actress Laura Aikman has transformed her look for her role as a policing whistleblower in new Disney+ drama Suspect: The Shooting Of Jean Charles De Menezes.
The actress, who plays James Cordon’s ex-fiancée Sonia in the BBC sitcom, joins the lines of Russell Tovey, Conleth Hill, Max Beesley and Emily Mortimer in the drama.
The four-parter will step twenty years back in time to the wake of the devastating suicide bombing attack in London on July 7, 2005, as the Met Police launched a large-scale counterterrorism attack.
In a case of mistaken identity, it saw innocent young Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes shot dead in a case of mistaken identity as pressure was ramped up to stop a second terrorist plot.
First-look images see Laura’s Lana Vandenberghe taking photos of official documents to leak them and help expose the truth behind the shooting of de Menezes.
The series launches on April 30.
- Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.