The Box: First look at Gary Lineker's new 'shocking' ITV game show as line-up is confirmed
The 10 celebrities taking part in Gary's new ITV show are 'scared'The Box is ITV’s brand new “shocking” game show hosted by Gary Lineker – and we have now been given a first look.
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary will oversee the action as 10 celebrities are plunged into mystery locations in big yellow boxes and ordered to figure out tasks with little instruction.
ITV bosses have promised the show will be full of “shocking reveals and twists”. It certainly sounds like something we haven’t seen before!
Here is everything we know about The Box, including its celebrity contestants, how The Box works and its start date. Scroll down for a first look at the show, too!
What is ITV’s The Box?
The Box is a brand-new game show on ITV. Ten celebrities are dropped into big, bright yellow boxes and transported to unknown locations around the UK.
Once they arrive, the stars have to take on a series of challenges. These can be physical, logical, funny… or all of the above. The stars are given little guidance to figure out what is expected of them and stay in the game.
Each episode ends with The Duel. This is a high-stakes showdown between the last two contestants standing. The loser will leave the competition, while the winner continues and has the chance to be crowned the ultimate champion.
The show has been adapted for UK audiences from the popular Norwegian TV show, Boksen.
Who is hosting The Box?
Gary Lineker will be front and centre as the ITV gameshow’s host. The ex-England and Barcelona striker is a veteran broadcaster. He fronted Match of the Day for 26 years before leaving the BBC in May 2025.
Gary also previously fronted ITV’s general knowledge quiz show, Sitting on a Fortune between 2021 and 2023. On top of that, he is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which is the UK’s largest independent podcast company. The team at Goalhanger Podcasts are responsible for The Rest Is History, hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook.
Gary says he is excited to be on the sidelines as the action unfolds. He shared: “I’ve always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch, and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar.
“The contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control. It’s going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I’m excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action!”
ITV’s Katie Rawcliffe describs Gary as the “perfect fit” for the show. She calls The Box an “entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format”.
The Box: The celebrities taking part
ITV has assembled an eclectic line-up of 10 celebrity figures for The Box from the worlds of entertainment, sport, music, and politics.
Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies is taking part. At 35, the businesswoman and entrepreneur became the youngest-ever Dragon when she joined the show in 2019. Former footballer Graeme Souness will also be on The Box. Now a pundit, he played for Liverpool, Spurs and Middlesbrough during his career.
Comedian Ellie Taylor – know for Strictly Come Dancing, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Ted Lasso – is bringing a few laughs. Former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, is also on the show. He left Parliament in 2019 and has embarked on a career in media.
Love Island’s Shakira Khan is in the line-up. She made it to the final of the dating show in 2025. JLS star JB Gill will also be on the show. These days, the singer and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant works as a turkey farmer and has appeared on BBC’s Countryfile.
The Box: Ranvir Singh and Jenny Ryan
Broadcaster Ranvir Singh will be trying her luck on The Box. Ranvir presents on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine. She also fronts her own ITV game show, Riddiculous.
Another contestant who is a dab hand at a quiz is Jenny Ryan. Jenny’s also known as ‘The Vixen’ on ITV’s The Chase. Joey Essex, who found fame in The Only Way Is Essex, is also taking part.
YouTuber and gamer, Danny Aarons, rounds off the cast. Danny is one of the world’s leading content creators for EA Sports FC.
Host Gary has spoken highly of the cast. He says: “From my experience, the most successful teams are built on a mix of strengths and abilities. That’s exactly what we’ve got with this line-up.”
The Box on ITV: First look and start date
ITV have this week teased The Box on social media and during advert breaks for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. And it has us gripped already!
Inside the boxes, several of the celebrity contestants are deep-breathing. One yellow box is on top of the Brighton i360, the 162-metre observation tower on Brighton Seafront!
As Joey Essex’s door is flung open, he yells: “Oh my God, where am I?!” John Bercow, meanwhile, says: “When am I going to be released from this wretched thing?!”
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Host Gary Lineker simply says: “They’re scared.”
ITV have posted the ad on Instagram and said: “10 celebrities are about to be dropped into challenges they can’t predict. The moment those doors open… the game begins. Here’s a first look at The Box, hosted by Gary Lineker. Coming to ITV in 2026.”
The Box’s exact start date is yet to be confirmed, but were are one month away from 2026 now, so hopefully it won’t be long!
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