Michael McIntyre reveals major shake up on The Wheel with two huge changes
After hosting The Wheel for four years, you would think that nothing would surprise comedian Michael McIntyre. But when filming the new series, even he was shocked when pop star Robbie Williams gatecrashed the show as a contestant. The comic had booked Ayda Field to come on and answer questions with Robbie as her specialist subject. “I’d met Ayda before and she’s tremendous fun,” he said. “So, Ayda came on, the show had started, and we were all enjoying ourselves – but what I didn’t know was that Robbie had come with her and surprised me and everyone by coming up on The Wheel first as a contestant! It was a total shock for me – and not to be missed.”
The popular quiz show features celebrity “experts” who help contestants answer questions and hopefully win a cash prize. Michael reveals that This Morning host Dermot O’Leary is so good at the game he is returning as an expert for the fifth time, and this time around he has gained an extra special accolade to commend him for his superior knowledge. “Dermot, as he loves to be reminded, is the best performing celebrity in the history of The Wheel as he has come top of the leaderboard three times,” Michael explains.
“Nipping at his heels are Jonathan Ross and Clare Balding with two top place finishes each. So, we decided from this series on, that any expert finishing top three times would be inducted into the Wheel Hall of Fame, meaning that if a contestant lands on them they will forever be lit in silver and worth double money. “Dermot was overcome with emotion when he learned of this accolade,” he adds.
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The Hall of Fame isn’t the only new addition to the show. “We are debuting the double chair,” Michael announces.“I thought it would be fun to book celebs who are a couple, related, or known for working together. So, our first dual spinners for this series will be Danny Dyer and his daughter Dani on The East End, Torvill and Dean on Ice Skating, newlyweds Jamie and Sophie Laing on Weddings and Chris and Rosie Ramsey on Super Mario."
Michael says that being a pair doesn’t mean they are any better at the game. “For people who think contestants may benefit from having an extra person on the Wheel, this has not thus far proven to be the case due to instant bickering between the pairings.”
