Bradley Walsh's new £1million quiz show has sparked hoax fears, with viewers spotting a series of spooky clues surrounding the programme and insiders teasing a huge secret twist.
Million Pound Shot is being billed as a high-stakes quiz where contestants have the chance to walk away with a life-changing fortune. The show, which airs on Sunday, November 1, sees contestants put their own hard-earned cash on the line as they answer questions in the hope of winning the huge prize.
Unusual Clues and Bank Card Demand
In a bizarre twist, participants have reportedly even been told to bring their own bank cards to the studio. But that may not be the biggest surprise in store.
A source has claimed the programme has several more secrets up its sleeve, telling The Sun: "This isn’t just a new show with an element that’s never been seen before, it’s something of a TV experiment with an even bigger twist. Channel 4 are keeping details closely under wraps as the show just won’t work if the viewer knows what to expect."
"It’s not the first time a show like this has been made, but it will be likely to stand out for some time to come. The team were being totally honest when they said it would ‘feature a UK television first’."
Comparisons to TV Stunts
The mystery has prompted online sleuths to wonder whether Million Pound Shot could actually be an elaborate television hoax. Some have drawn comparisons with notorious TV stunts such as the BBC's Ghostwatch, which aired on Halloween in 1992 and fooled viewers into believing they were watching a genuine paranormal investigation. The broadcast prompted around 30,000 calls from distressed viewers.
Others have pointed to Channel 4's own history of playing with reality, including the 2024 Inside No. 9 episode Hold on Tight!, which introduced viewers to what appeared to be a conventional game show called 3 by 3, hosted by Lee Mack, before revealing its darker twist.
Timing and Speculation
There are also questions surrounding the timing of Bradley's new show. Million Pound Shot airs at 9pm on November 1, just one day after Halloween, with its post-watershed slot adding to the intrigue. Some viewers have even speculated that the programme could be connected to illusionist Derren Brown, who is returning to Channel 4 with his new series Incognito.
Bradley has also teased that viewers should expect plenty of surprises, promising "more twists and turns along the way. I’m excited for everyone to see how it plays out."
Of course, it is entirely possible that Million Pound Shot is exactly what it claims to be: a high-pressure quiz with a £1million prize up for grabs. But with Channel 4 promising huge curveballs and producers keeping the biggest twist secret, viewers will have to tune in to discover what is really going on.
Million Pound Shot airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday, November 1.
