Michael McIntyre has revealed that he came up with the idea for his new BBC One game show, The Wheel, while relaxing in the bath. The comedian explained that he was contemplating the evolution of entertainment television and decided to devise a new game show format, coming up with two ideas within moments, one of which became The Wheel.
The Wheel, which begins on Saturday, features a giant rotating wheel with celebrities seated on its outer ring. These celebrity experts, including Gemma Collins, Roman Kemp, and Gok Wan, assist members of the public in the centre to win money by answering general knowledge questions. McIntyre noted that the show was enjoyable to film, with his son declaring it 'the most fun he'd had in ages' after riding the wheel during a set visit.
McIntyre also addressed the scepticism surrounding his previous show, The Big Show, which has been a staple of BBC One's winter schedule since 2016. He stated that he is accustomed to cynical viewers who doubt the authenticity of segments like Send To All and Unexpected Star of the Show, insisting that the surprises are genuine and not pre-arranged.
The Big Show cannot return this winter due to the pandemic, as its format relies heavily on a live audience and social interaction. McIntyre's new series effectively takes its place, aiming to fill the Saturday night entertainment slot, which is notoriously difficult to crack. The comedian acknowledged the challenge but expressed optimism about The Wheel's potential.
