ITV revives ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ gameshow, with Graham Norton

Graham Norton

UK broadcaster ITV is reviving the local version of gameshow format Wheel Of Fortune after more than two decades, with Graham Norton attached to host, for ITV1 and ITX.

Based on the US show of the same name, the UK version ran on ITV from 1988 and 2001, with this reboot to be produced by Whisper North, which is part of the Sony Pictures Television-backed Whisper Group. Kerri Reid and Tom McLennan will exec produce.

The 8 x 60-minute series, which will include two celebrity specials, will once again be centred around a giant carnival wheel as contestants spin to win for a life cash prize.

The turn of the wheel secures a cash value before contestants pick a letter to help them solve the puzzle. For every correct letter they reveal in the puzzle they win multiples of that amount. However, they could lose everything if they land on ‘bankrupt’ or face big disadvantage if they spin ‘lose a turn’. In addition to cash, contestants can also win prizes which are added to their cash pot to help them reach the bonus round.

Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, who ordered the revival, said “We are thrilled to have the much loved Graham Norton bringing this iconic game show to our viewers. Anything can happen on the spin of a wheel, it is going to be so much fun.”

The original US show is produced by Sony Pictures Television Studios, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, which is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution along with the format rights.