Graham Norton reviving iconic game show after 22 years as he heads to ITV
CLASSIC gameshow Wheel of Fortune is being revived by ITV1 with chat show host Graham Norton as presenter.
The host of BBC1’s The Graham Norton Show and Virgin Radio DJ will bring it back to our screens after a 22 year absence.
The US import first aired in the UK in 1988 and helped launch the careers of big names including Changing Rooms host Carol Smilie and The Chase star Bradley Walsh.
A TV insider said: “Bringing back this gameshow was a no brainer for ITV as it enjoyed such a long run and proved hugely popular.
“What mattered to ITV was finding the right person as they felt it needed someone who was as big as the programme itself. And in Graham that’s just what they have.”
Wheel of Fortune sees contestants solve a word puzzle, which was traditional revealed by a female assistant which included Carol, Jenny Powell and Simon Cowell’s ex-girlfriend, Terri Seymour.
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Every letter guessed right earning them a sum of money, which was decided by the spin of a giant carnival wheel, which was overseen by the host which included Bradley, John Leslie and Nicky Cambell.
Three years ago ITV made a pilot for a reboot of This Morning presenter Alison Hammond at the helm, but last year it was confirmed she wouldn’t be taking on the role permanently.
Yesterday ITV revealed that Graham would host the eight part series which will air in 2024 with two celebrity specials.
He said: “I’m beyond excited to be bringing such an iconic American show to a new British audience. My first ever TV job was a game show on ITV so this feels like coming full circle. You might even call it a wheel!”
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In 1996, Graham co-hosted the late-night ITV quiz show Carnal Knowledge with comedy actress Maria McErlane, who’s best known for being pals with Nigella Lawson and the narrator of Channel 4’s Eurotrash.
The move comes after ITV also confirmed it was remaking hit US show Jeopardy! with Stephen Fry as quizmaster.