Alan Carr, fresh from his victory on The Celebrity Traitors, teams up with Countdown's Susie Dent to host Secret Genius, a new reality competition seeking one of the estimated million undiscovered geniuses in the UK. The show features regional heats where participants solve puzzles designed by Mensa to test various IQ skills, but it quickly becomes more than a simple intelligence test.
The first round presents contestants with a wall of letters containing all those needed to spell the months of the year except one. They must identify the missing letter and the month. Another round involves arranging numbers on a board to meet predetermined totals. The puzzles are stressful, but the real drama lies in the contestants' personal stories.
Many participants reveal histories of being dismissed or labelled 'thick' at school, often due to class background. Ollie, an ambulance crew member, memorised car registration plates as a child and excels in the puzzles unless crippled by nerves. She participates out of 'morbid curiosity' about her own intelligence. Jo, a sports management consultant, nearly loses a round because she doubts her correct answer, reflecting on how gender differences in upbringing affect her confidence.
The show raises big questions about the UK's class-bound, privilege-riven society, as contestants' experiences of being ignored or bullied come to light. Despite the heavy themes, Carr and Dent provide a warm, engaging presence, making Secret Genius an addictive watch that balances stress, heartwarming moments, and shocking revelations.
