Entertainment
The Weakest Link: Release date, celebrity contestants and who is the new host?
Romesh Ranganathan will be presenting the new series (Picture: BBC/Alan Peebles)
The Weakest Link is set to return after nearly a decade away from our TV sets – here’s everything you need to know about the reboot of the hit BBC quiz show.
Anne Robinson previously fronted the show and was known for her ice-queen presenting style.
But things will look slightly different when it makes a comeback, with a new host.
Who is the new host of Weakest Link?
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan will be taking the reins from Anne Robinson, who now can be seen hosting Channel 4’s Countdown.
The funnyman and former teacher has been a regular fixture on our screens in recent years, through his various projects with pal Rob Becket as well as his BBC2 show, The Ranganation.
Romesh will step in to host (Picture: BBC/Alan Peebles)
But Romesh expressed his surprise after being asked to do the iconic show by the BBC.
He admitted to Metro.co.uk and other press: ‘I just didn’t think I didn’t like being a quiz show host and primetime wasn’t on my list of things that I would ever see myself doing, it just didn’t occur to me that anything like that would ever come up.
After being called up, he said: ‘My first reaction was, I was just not sure, because it was so outside the realms of what I thought I could do or would do.
‘But the fact that was the Weakest Link, like such an iconic format, and also Kate [Phillips, from BBC who asked him to do the show] said to me, “You’re not trying to emulate something else, you just do it in your own way, and sort of make it your own.”
When is the Weakest Link on air?
Each show will feature eight famous faces (Picture: BBC/Alan Peebles)
The Weakest Link will be back just before Christmas, to get you right in the festive spirit.
It will be broadcast at 6.10pm on Saturday, December 18, just before the final of Strictly Come Dancing.
There will be 12 episodes in the new season which will each be 45 minutes long, but it’s not yet known how often these will be airing.
Who are the celebrity contestants on the Weakest Link?
Gemma Collins features as an angel, naturally (Picture: BBC/Alan Peebles)
There is a growing list of famous faces who we already know will be up at the podium during the all-star series.
Stars to have been confirmed include royal correspondent Jennie Bond, the first winner of Drag Race UK The Vivienne and Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood, who make up the legendary presenting duo – Dick ‘N’ Dom.
Each episode will have a different theme, with the first to be aired on the same night as the Strictly Come Dancing final, featuring names past and present who’ve been involved with the hit show.
Those on the billing for the special include judge Anton Du Beke, and former contestants Catherine Tyldesley, Emma Barton, Clara Amfo and HRVY.
More: BBC
Romesh also confirmed a Christmas special whilst talking to press including Metro.co.uk, with Gemma Collins dressed as an angel.
He said of who to watch out for: ‘I would say Kay Burley was pretty competitive… Chris Packham. I didn’t know he had a steely edge to him, but he definitely does… The Vivienne obviously was very competitive.’
Weakest Link returns on Saturday, December 18 at 6.10pm on BBC One.
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