Gary Lineker confirmed by ITV as “perfect fit” host for The Box – and here’s when we can expect to see it

In this series, ten famous personalities agree to be mysteriously teleported inside yellow containers to a secret destination. Once there, they must swiftly learn the rules and master the skills for a game they’ve never played before.

Every week, the two players with the poorest performance will face off in a part we call “The Duel.” This competition will result in one of them being removed from the starting roster.

The ITV’s entertainment commissioning director, Katie Rawcliffe, considers Lineker to be an ideal choice for the program. She also gets excited about the revamped format, describing it as engaging, thrilling, and interactive.

Lineker excitedly shared that he can’t wait to serve as the host for The Box. He has always found a sense of comfort within the confines of a football field’s box, and while this new endeavor may present some differences, the core aspects remain familiar to him.

The competitors must swiftly learn and skillfully navigate each game’s rules, all while aiming to outpace their opponents to gain an advantage and lead the pack.

He remarked: “I find it intriguing and exhilarating that I’ll be able to witness an unforeseeable spectacle, and I can hardly wait for the show to begin!

The star-studded cast for the upcoming Box series has yet to be revealed, but filming is set to begin by the end of this year, with a planned release date in 2026. So, we might hear more about it shortly.

The show represents a fresh significant agreement for Lineker, who parted ways with Match of the Day in May following over twenty years as a sports presenter. Tim Davie, the CEO, referred to him as an influential figure in football broadcasting.

The executive remarked, “His fervor and expertise significantly molded our sports journalism, gaining him admiration from sports enthusiasts not only in the UK but globally. We’re grateful for his valuable contributions.

Reports emerged earlier this week about speculations that Lineker might be part of a fresh ITV program, intended to replace the spot vacated by Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway.