Bradley Walsh's upcoming Channel 4 gameshow, Million Pound Shot, has prompted speculation that it may not be a conventional quiz programme, with one viewer sharing his theory that it could be a stunt or scripted event.
The show, hosted by the 66-year-old, is scheduled to air at 9pm on Sunday, November 1. Walsh announced in July that he was stepping away from Blankety Blank, telling the Radio Times: "I just don't have the time, which is sad because I've loved Blankety Blank. It's been one of my favourite shows, and it's been brilliant. Blankety Blank has been brilliant. It really makes me laugh. It's the most fun you can have in the studio, and I just cannot work on it at the moment. I just have not got the time."
Viewer's 'evidence' for a stunt
TikTok user Harry Ford shared his reasons for being "90 per cent certain" the programme is not what it appears. In a video, he explained that the trailer aired during Taskmaster last week, and he immediately suspected it was "going to be some kind of stunt."
Ford pointed to the "incredibly vague and generic" title and synopsis as evidence. He noted that the description states "it is a one-off event where three plucky contestants step up for the chance to win up to £1 million," which he called "suspiciously vague." He also referenced promises of "a night of drama," a "bursting with tension" remark, and a "curveball the audience won't see coming."
Ford argued that a conventional quiz would reveal more details to attract viewers, adding: "This is going to be something secret, and I am assuming it is going to be a big stunt that is going to grab headlines." He also questioned the "one-off" format and the unusual Sunday 9pm slot for a new quiz event.
Commissioner's track record
Ford highlighted that the show was commissioned by Tim Hancock, whom he described as someone "into very 'stunty', outrageous, headline-grabbing commissions." He referenced Hancock's "most famous" commission, Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat, a programme Ford described as a "bizarre satirical, sort of scripted documentary" about "harvesting human meat."
Ford noted that the programme was "sold to the public as a real documentary and played completely straight - it was only when it aired that people realised it was a hoax." He concluded: "I think this is going to be something scripted."
Online theories and response
Other social media users offered their own theories. One suggested a Derren Brown-style experiment involving peer pressure, while another predicted a "Black Mirror type thing" where a contestant must shoot someone for money. A third user noted that Channel 4 confirmed a new Derren Brown show called 'Incognito' in February, with no further updates since. A fourth observer pointed out that the post-watershed slot suggests content not suitable for children.
Channel 4 has been invited to respond to the speculation.
