Strictly and Love Island stars among line-up for Gary Lineker's new ITV game show

The celebrity contestants who will compete on Gary Lineker's new ITV game show have been announced. He will present the Box, which is described as a "thrilling new format" that "plunges" the ten stars "into the unknown".

Based on a show that launched in Norway earlier this year, it's been compared to I'm A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins. It's been announced today that the Box will be filmed in the UK later this year before airing next year.

The line-up of celebrities has also been unveiled. Enclosed in a yellow box, they will find themselves facing challenges in mystery locations, with the show promising "shocking reveals", "mind-bending puzzles" and "twists".

READ MORE: Gary Lineker makes feelings clear on BBC return as he starts work with rivals

READ MORE: Stephen Fry admits he broke 'promise' by joining BBC's Celebrity Traitors

The line-up includes Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh, Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, JLS' JB Gill and comedian Ellie Taylor. They are no strangers to competing on TV, having all previously done Strictly Come Dancing.

Love Island stars are also involved, with recent finalist Shakira Khan and former TOWIE cast member Joey Essex in the line-up. Former footballer Graeme Souness, former politician John Bercow, the Chase's Jenny Ryan and content creator Danny Aarons are also set to take part.

ITV has said that the challenges facing the ten celebrities could be "physical, mental, logical, funny, a bit daunting, or all of those at once". It teases: "With minimal or no instruction, they must decipher and work out what to do. At the end of each episode, two players will battle it out in The Duel, a high-stakes head-to-head game to avoid elimination."

Gary, who will host the Box, said: "From my experience, the most successful teams are built on a mix of strengths and abilities, and that's exactly what we've got with this lineup. I'm excited to be on the sideline with a front row seat to see all the action unfold!"

Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning ITV, said: "We're delighted to welcome this impressive lineup of celebrities to The Box. They will each bring a unique perspective and approach to the varying challenges they will face, and observing how they react will make for incredibly entertaining viewing for our audiences."

Dan Adamson, Chief Content Officer at production company Twofour, said: "We are really excited to see how our brilliant cast rises to the unique challenge of The Box. Each of them brings different skills, strengths and smarts to the mix but who can step out of their yellow box and overcome the unknown to be crowned our winner?"

Gary recently revealed that he was preparing for three weeks of filming for the show. He shared on an episode of podcast, released earlier this week, that he would miss Thursday's Champions League game between Newcastle United F.C. and FC Barcelona.

He said: "I can't [go] because I'm starting filming for my new show The Box." Gary continued: "I start on Wednesday for three weeks of filming, I can't give too much away, because I don't know what I can and what I can't say."

Asked when it was air, he said: "I think probably the spring. Early next year but we're gonna record it over the next three weeks. [I'm] looking forward to it actually, should be a lot of fun. Some good guests, which I can't say, not at the moment. Oh dear, could you imagine what would happen if I gave the game away? I'd be in the dog house before it even started."

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.

READ MORE: Leopard print puffer from little known brand rivals Ganni’s £500 sell out style