Future of huge ITV quiz show revealed weeks after it returns for second series
ITV is so chuffed with Lee Mack’s quiz show The 1% Club it’s been commissioned for a third series – before the second has even ended.
And the green-lit instalment is going to be the biggest yet, with double the amount of episodes — 16 instead of eight — plus a Christmas special next year.
That’s not bad going for funnyman Lee, who is slowly turning the quiz into a modern-day classic.
A TV insider says: “There have been so many game shows that have crashed and burned. But there’s something very special about The 1% Club. It’s clicked with viewers. And that’s down to Lee’s great hosting and an original format, which can be played by different generations.”
A big appeal of the series, which launched in April last year, is that viewers don’t need to mug up on general knowledge to compete.
It’s all down to old-fashioned logic and the playing-at-home feature has been enhanced this year thanks to the show’s new app.
The 1% Club, which is watched by almost four million viewers, sees 100 contestants begin every show which are slowly whittled down.
To make it to the end and win a prize of up to £100,000, contestants must correctly answer a question only 1% of the country would get right.
Lee pokes gentle fun at competitors throughout the episodes, taking particular delight when super-cocky players answer questions incorrectly.
Discussing the third series, he says: “Again I am delighted to cause household arguments, as kids mock their parents for being not as bright as them. But us grown-ups can stay out as late as we want, so we get the last laugh.”
The comic has certainly sparked a lot of them.
MICHAEL A MONEY SPINNER
MICHAEL McINTYRE’s game show should be renamed The Wheel Of Fortune after new figures reveal the funnyman is laughing all the way to the bank.
A financial report for his personal company Breachcroft Ltd, show his money has trebled.
The Wheel host has seen profits rise from £1.1million to £3.5m, while his production firm Hungry McBear – which he co-owns – showed profits of £2.1m, so he’s worth over £5m.
A source says: “It just shows how well Michael is doing. Every show he fronts does well and he’s clearly got the midas touch.
“And there is no sign of his power diminishing either so expect these figures to rise again next year.”
Michael co-owns the rights to The Wheel which is being sold all over the word, while the BBC also pay him to host another huge series, his Saturday night hit, Big Show.
FAN FURY AS PENNY DROPPED
FANS of In For A Penny were furious when their favourite game show got knocked out of the schedules.
Channel bosses sparked a Twitter storm when the FA Cup semi-final match between Manchester City and Sheffield United replaced their weekly dose of Stephen Mulhern.
His ITV show, in which he travels the nation setting wacky challenges for members of the public, has become a cult favourite.
So when it disappeared last week, the host got it in the neck, with one fan tweeting: “Are you gonna treat us to double In For A Penny next Saturday then, Stephen Mulhern.”
They wil be glad to know it’s back tomorrow on ITV at 6.30pm, albeit with the usual one episode.
Here’s hoping the afternoon’s rugby coverage doesn’t run over.
'JOANNA IS FAB'
WHiLE learning the ropes on Corrie, Michelle Keegan rubbed shoulders with British TV royalty.
But she’s saved the highest praise for her latest co-star, Joanna Lumley.
The pair have teamed up for Netflix’s gritty thriller Fool Me Once.
Speaking about it for the first time Michelle said: “To get this role is a dream come true and I still can’t believe it.”
In the drama, Michelle plays character Maya whose husband is murdered. But despite the serious subject matter, Joanna lightened the mood.
Michelle added: “Joanna is so funny. She had all the crew laughing all the time. But she’s so professional and lovely.”
I can’t begin to imagine how Michelle would describe Corrie’s Bet Lynch.