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Gary Lineker is making a sensational return to our Saturday night screens, and this time, it’s with ITV.
The former footballer-turned-broadcaster, who famously fronted the BBC’s Match of the Day for over two decades, has reportedly inked a huge new deal to host The Box, a brand-new celebrity game show set to replace Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The move comes just months after Lineker’s high-profile departure from the BBC following an anti-semitism row. Now, ITV is wasting no time in putting him at the heart of its weekend schedule.
The Format
According to The Sun, The Box is already a big hit in Norway, where it has captivated viewers with its nerve-shredding challenges and star-studded cast. The premise is simple, but brutal.
Twelve celebrities are each locked inside separate boxes, and every week they must face a terrifying challenge to progress in the competition. These challenges test both mental and physical endurance, with the added twist of the isolation factor, contestants can’t see what’s going on outside their box until it’s their turn to face the music.
The show has been dubbed a cross between I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and SAS: Who Dares Wins, meaning it promises both high drama and plenty of nail-biting moments.
ITV’s Big Gamble
A TV insider 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.”
Replacing Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is no easy task. The long-running entertainment juggernaut has been one of ITV’s biggest ratings winners for years, blending celebrity appearances, games, and heartwarming surprises. But with Ant & Dec announcing the show’s hiatus, ITV has been on the hunt for a fresh, big-budget format that could win over audiences, and they believe The Box might just be the answer.
“They have long been sniffing around Gary and just needed to find the right format for him,” the source continued. “They’re confident they’ve found that now, and the BBC’s loss is their gain.”
Gary Lineker left the BBC earlier this year – Credit: PA wire
A Bold New Chapter for Lineker
Lineker’s career shift is significant. Known for his calm and composed style on Match of the Day, this new role will show him in a completely different light, interacting with celebrities, navigating unpredictable challenges, and steering a primetime entertainment ship.
Fans are already curious to see how the 63-year-old will adapt to the more high-energy, theatrical demands of Saturday night TV. If early buzz is anything to go by, ITV’s gamble could well pay off.
Production is expected to begin later this year, with a planned launch in early 2026. While the celebrity line-up remains under wraps, speculation is already rife about which famous faces will be stepping into The Box.
