Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? undergoes major revamp as bosses reveal 'twist'

Hit gameshow Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? will return to screens next year - but bosses have promised a twist. The ITV1 staple, which was initiallyhosted by Chris Tarrant during its initial run, has been fronted by Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson since it was revived in 2018 and has gone on to become one of the most successful gameshows in the world in its near 30-year history.

However, the next series of the hit show will mark the UK debut of the franchise spin-off Millionaire Hot Seat, which has already been part of its format in Australia for more than 2,500 episodes. The format requires players to think tactically and answer under pressure as they compete against the clock – and each other.

During the segment, contestants sit in a queue whilst only the person in the Hot Seat can face Jeremy and answer questions on the Million Pound Money Ladder.

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To stay in the game, a player must continuously answer questions correctly, or pass and face being sent to the back of the queue, but an incorrect answer will send them out entirely. Only the top prize can be won, and the player must answer it correctly in order to win the cash prize.

Whilst the classic version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire airs in hour-long episodes, its spin-off promises something of a snappier format, with 18 half-hour editions having been commissioned.

Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning ITV said: “ Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has reached 18 million viewers on ITV so far this year alone.

“Commissioning a new spin-off format to further capitalise on the brand’s success and popularity was a no brainer, especially with Millionaire Hot Seat already doing so well in other territories also.”

The move, facilitated by Stellify Media, the Sony Pictures Television joint venture, will also be accompanied by 19 episodes of the series in its regular format, seven of which will be celebrity specials.

Filming for the spin-off is expected to commence in November, and it is expected to air at some point in 2026, and the Clarkson's Farm star will be at the helm of both.

Matthew Worthy, Co-CEO Stellify Media, said: “It is an honour to produce Millionaire for ITV. Millionaire Hot Seat is the main show's cheeky younger sibling, and gives us more Jeremy, enjoying more money-ladder moments - but with a whole new tone, pace, and feel."

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? made its debut in 1998, and has so far seen six contestants win the top prize of £1 million, including former Eggheads star Judith Keppel. 

The series even inspired a TV drama, called Quiz, which looked at the events surrounding fraudulent contestant Charles Ingram. The drama aired in 2020 with Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant and Matthew Mcfayden as the army major.