Channel 4 has unveiled a new 'feel-good' competition series titled Ingenious, hosted by beloved comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Bill Bailey. The four-part programme, produced by Curve Wales, aims to celebrate Britain's tradition of tinkering and innovation.
What is 'Ingenious'?
The show brings together creative amateur inventors from across the UK, who emerge from garden sheds, garages, kitchen tables, and spare rooms to build clever contraptions designed to solve everyday problems. Over four episodes, contestants compete in imaginative invention challenges that test their creativity, resourcefulness, and mechanical know-how, all vying for the title of Britain's best home inventor.
The series is set in a large, light industrial space that reflects the nation's industrial heritage, providing an inspiring backdrop for ambitious builds and bold ideas.
Bill Bailey's Role
Speaking about his new role, Bailey said: "I'm thrilled to be hosting Ingenious, a brand-new show that celebrates Britain's shed-born brilliance, in a collision between practical problem-solving and creative innovation. Watching these inventors solve everyday frustrations with clever contraptions is exactly my kind of fun."
Clemency Green, Senior Commissioner for Daytime & Features at Channel 4, commented: "We are delighted to commission this warm, entertaining competition format from Curve Wales. With the brilliant Bill Bailey leading proceedings, Ingenious celebrates the people who can fix, build and improve just about anything, and the distinctive British ingenuity that finds practical answers to everyday challenges."
Camilla Lewis, CEO and Executive Producer at Curve Media, added: "Britain has always been a Nation of Inventors and it's fantastic to be able to celebrate amazing homegrown ingenuity – Who could be better than Bill Bailey to be the ringmaster! Thank you Channel 4 – what a joyous commission to make."
Release Date
Channel 4 has not yet confirmed the official release date for Ingenious.
Bill Bailey's Health
The announcement comes after Bailey recently admitted he is "living day to day" following a warning about a potential health concern. During a session with a spiritual fortune teller on his Channel 4 series exploring Vietnam, the 61-year-old was warned he might have a problem with his small intestine. When asked about the claim, he told The Metro: "I'm living day to day. At any point I could conk out. I have kept an eye on it. You think it's all nonsense, but on the safe side I should probably check it out. It seems to be all right."
This is not Bailey's first health scare; he has previously been hospitalised multiple times with asthma and placed on a nebuliser. In recent years, he endured a "mortifying moment" during a performance in Australia when he was forced to abandon the stage after an asthma attack, which he later described as a wake-up call.
Ingenious is coming to Channel 4 soon.
