Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel returns with star-studded celebrity line-up

Michael McIntyre is getting ready to spin his way back into Saturday night television, with a brand-new series of his hugely popular BBC quiz show The Wheel premiering on Saturday 14 November.

And the first celebrity line-up has now been revealed, with an eclectic group of eight famous faces confirmed for the opening episode, promising a mixture of entertainment, sporting knowledge, comedy and plenty of laughs.

Singer and musical theatre star Michael Ball, broadcaster Kate Garraway, former England cricketer Isa Guha, comedian Harriet Kemsley, fitness personality Matt Morsia, Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan, Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo and his fellow dance troupe star Perri Kiely will all take their places on the giant spinning wheel.

The new series launches on Saturday 14 November at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with McIntyre once again hosting the fast-moving competition in which contestants rely on celebrity experts to help them answer their way towards a potentially life-changing cash prize.

With such a varied group of personalities involved in the opening episode, there should be no shortage of entertaining moments as the celebrities attempt to demonstrate their knowledge and guide the contestants towards victory.

Who are the celebrities appearing on The Wheel?

The opening episode has certainly attracted an interesting collection of famous faces, with the eight celebrities coming from very different backgrounds.

Michael Ball will be a familiar face to musical theatre fans, having enjoyed an enormously successful career on stage and as a recording artist. Best known for performances in productions including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Hairspray, he has also become a popular broadcaster and presenter, bringing plenty of experience to the Saturday night entertainment format.

Kate Garraway is another household name, having spent many years presenting ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Her broadcasting career has also included documentaries, radio and entertainment programmes, making her a familiar presence for television audiences.

Cricket fans will recognise Isa Guha, the former England international who has successfully moved into sports broadcasting since retiring from the game. She has become one of the most respected voices in cricket commentary, covering major international tournaments and working across television and radio.

Comedian Harriet Kemsley will bring her sharp observational humour to the show. Known for her stand-up performances and appearances on television comedy panel shows, she has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices on the British comedy circuit.

Matt Morsia, better known to many as fitness personality and social media star MattDoesFitness, is another interesting addition. A former athlete and hugely successful online fitness creator, he has built a substantial following through his exercise challenges, training videos and entertaining approach to health and fitness.

Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan is no stranger to the programme, having appeared on previous editions of The Wheel. Known for her appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Taskmaster and her own stand-up tours, she is sure to bring plenty of personality to the proceedings.

Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely complete the line-up, with the pair having first found fame as members of Britain’s Got Talent-winning dance group Diversity. Both have since developed successful television careers, with Jordan becoming a familiar presenter and Perri establishing himself as a popular performer and broadcaster.

The combination of musical theatre, sport, comedy, fitness and dance should make for an entertaining opening instalment.

How does Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel work?

For anyone unfamiliar with the format, The Wheel is a quiz show with a rather unusual twist.

Three contestants compete for the chance to win a substantial cash prize, with their fortunes resting in the hands of a group of celebrity experts seated around a gigantic rotating wheel.

Each celebrity has their own specialist subject, and contestants must answer questions with the help of whichever expert is selected by the wheel.

The contestants themselves begin on a separate, smaller wheel beneath the main structure. When it spins, one is selected to take the central seat and begin playing.

But staying there is the difficult part.

A wrong answer or an unfortunate spin can send a contestant back down to the waiting area, potentially giving another player the opportunity to take their place.

The aim is to remain in control long enough to reach the final question and potentially walk away with a life-changing amount of money.

It is a simple idea, but the combination of random selections, celebrity expertise and high-pressure decisions creates plenty of suspense.

And with Michael McIntyre at the helm, there is always the possibility that an unexpected answer or celebrity reaction will provide one of the evening’s funniest moments.

The Wheel’s impressive ratings success

Since first arriving on BBC One in November 2020, Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel has established itself as one of the broadcaster’s most successful Saturday-night entertainment formats.

The opening episode attracted a consolidated audience of 6.3 million viewers, and the programme quickly became a Saturday-night favourite.

Its success has continued over subsequent series. The fifth series, which aired in 2024, averaged an impressive 5.3 million viewers, peaking at 5.9 million. That made it the programme’s biggest series since its original launch during the pandemic. BroadwayWorld+1

The BBC clearly has confidence in the format, too. In April 2025, it confirmed a two-series recommission, ensuring that more celebrity experts, contestants and enormous cash prizes would be heading to Saturday nights.

The show has also enjoyed recognition at industry awards, including winning Best Game Show at the 2025 TV Choice Awards, alongside nominations at the BAFTAs, RTS Awards, Broadcast Press Guild Awards and National Television Awards. BroadwayWorld

Who has appeared on previous series of The Wheel?

One of the programme’s biggest attractions is its ever-changing celebrity line-up, with some particularly impressive names having taken their seats around the giant wheel over the years.

Previous participants have included Jonathan Ross, Dermot O’Leary, Richard Osman, David Walliams, Mel B, Gyles Brandreth, Clare Balding, Shirley Ballas, Bill Bailey, Stacey Dooley and Jo Brand.

Sporting personalities have also been well represented, with former footballer Jill Scott, rugby star Joe Marler, boxer Tony Bellew, Olympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds and former England cricketer Stuart Broad among those who have tested their knowledge.

The programme has also welcomed actors, comedians, presenters and social media personalities, including Chris McCausland, Josh Widdicombe, Jason Manford, AJ Odudu, Frankie Bridge, Oti Mabuse and Roman Kemp.

There have even been some memorable double-chair appearances, with two celebrities sharing a specialist subject and having to work together to help the contestants.

That variety has helped keep the format fresh, with viewers never quite knowing which familiar faces will be appearing each week.

Michael McIntyre remains king of Saturday night entertainment

The Wheel has become another major success for Michael McIntyre, who has firmly established himself as one of the BBC’s most dependable entertainment presenters.

Alongside his hugely popular Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, which has also received multiple series commissions, he has become a familiar face on Saturday nights.

His energetic presenting style, quick-fire humour and ability to get celebrities involved in the fun have undoubtedly helped make The Wheel such a hit.

And with a fresh collection of famous faces ready to take their places around the giant structure, the new series looks set to deliver plenty more entertainment.

The opening episode’s combination of Michael Ball, Kate Garraway, Isa Guha, Harriet Kemsley, Matt Morsia, Katherine Ryan, Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely should provide a fascinating mix of specialist knowledge and personality.

But will their advice be enough to help the contestants win big money? Or could one wrong answer send their hopes spinning out of control?

Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel returns on Saturday 14 November at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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