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Quiz Monkey |
Arts & Entertainment |
Television |
Reality Television |
What is Reality Television?
According to Wikipedia, it's "television programming that documents unscripted real–life situations, and often features an otherwise unknown cast". This page concentrates on what Wikipedia calls "Reality competition / game shows" ̵ typical examples being The X Factor and The Great British Bake Off.
See also Eurovision.
If you can't find the programme you're looking for on this page, or in Eurovision, please try Television: Entertainment.
For each programme, the essential things to know are firstly who won the latest series, and secondly who won the first series.
The Apprentice | 2005 |
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Tim Campbell | 2024 |
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Matty Edgell |
Big Brother | 2000 |
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Craig Phillips | 2023 |
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Jordan Sangha |
Britain's Got Talent | 2024 |
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Paul Potts | 2024 |
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Sydney Christmas |
Celebrity Big Brother | 2001 |
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Jack Dee | 2024 |
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David Potts |
Celebrity Masterchef | 2006 |
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Matt Dawson | 2024 |
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Wynne Evans |
Dancing on Ice | 2006 |
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Gaynor Faye | 2024 |
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Ryan Thomas |
Bake–Off | 2010 |
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Edd Kimber | 2023 |
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David Atherton |
I'm a Celebrity | 2002 |
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Tony Blackburn | 2023 |
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Sam Thompson |
The Masked Singer | 2020 |
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Natalie Imbruglia | 2024 |
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Danny Jones (McFly) |
Masterchef | 1990 |
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Joan Bunting | 2024 |
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Brin Pirathapan |
Masterchef: The Professionals | 2008 |
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Derek Johnstone | 2023 |
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Tom Hamblet |
RuPaul's Drag Race | 2019 |
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The Vivienne | 2023 |
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Ginger Johnson |
Strictly Come Dancing | 2004 |
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Natasha Kaplinsky | 2023 |
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Ellie Leach |
The Voice | 2002 |
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Leanne Mitchell | 2023 |
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Jen & Liv |
The X Factor | 2004 |
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Steve Brookstein | 2018 |
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Dalton Harris |
The following shows only had one or two series:
The Masked Dancer | Winner of Series 1 (2021 – as 'Scissors') |
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Louis Smith |
Winner of Series 2 (2022 – as 'Carwash') |
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Heather Morris (Glee) | |
Pop Idol | Winner of Series 1 (2001–2) |
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Will Young |
Winner of Series 2 (2003) |
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Michelle McManus | |
Popstars | Group formed by the five winners |
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Hear'say |
Popstars the Rivals | Female winners |
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Girls Aloud |
Male winners |
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One True Voice |
Questions about this style of programme are mercifully rare. The only actual questions I've ever heard are of the format "which reality television programme stars (or starred) ... ", giving a list of the participants. Accordingly, I present here a selection of some of the people who have appeared on a few of them.
Note: not all programmes have presenters as such. See also details in the sections for each programme.
Big Brother | 2000–2010 |
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Davina McCall | ||
2011–13 |
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Brian Dowling | |||
2014–18 |
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Emma Willis | |||
2023 |
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AJ Odudu |
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Will Best | |
Britain's Got Talent |
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Ant & Dec | |||
Dancing on Ice | 2006–11 |
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Holly Willoughby |
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Philip Schofield |
2012–14 |
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Christine Bleakley | |||
2018–23 |
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Holly Willoughby | |||
2024 |
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Stephen Mulhearn | |||
Dragons' Den |
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Evan Davis | |||
Gladiators (ITV, 1992–2000) | Series 1–5
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Ulrika Jonsson |
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John Fashanu |
Series 6–7 |
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Jeremy Guscott | |||
Series 8 |
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John Fashanu | |||
Gladiators (BBC, 2024 reboot) |
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Bradley & Barney (Walsh) | |||
The Great British Bake–Off | 2010–16 |
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Mel Gedroyc |
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Sue Perkins |
2017–19 |
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Noel Fielding |
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Sandi Toksvig | |
2020–23 |
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Matt Lucas | |||
2024 |
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Alison Hammond | |||
I'm a Celebrity | 2002–17 |
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Ant & Dec | ||
2018 |
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Declan Donnelly |
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Holly Willoughby | |
2019 to date |
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Ant & Dec | |||
The Masked Singer |
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Joel Dommett | |||
Masterchef (original series) | 1999–2000 |
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Loyd Grossman | ||
2001 |
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Gary Rhodes | |||
Masterchef: The Professionals (voiceover) | 2008–10 |
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India Fisher | ||
2011 to date |
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Sean Pertwee | |||
Pop Idol |
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Ant & Dec | |||
Popstars (final live episode) |
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Davina McCall | |||
Popstars: The Rivals |
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Davina McCall | |||
Strictly Come Dancing | 2004 to date |
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Tess Daly | ||
2004–13 |
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Bruce Forsyth | |||
2014 to date |
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Claudia Winkleman | |||
The Voice | 2012–13 |
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Holly Willoughby |
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2014 to date |
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Emma Willis | |||
The X Factor | 2004–6 |
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Kate Thornton | ||
2007–14 |
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Dermot O'Leary | |||
2015 |
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Caroline Flack |
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Olly Murs | |
2016–18 |
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Dermot O'Leary |
Sir Alan Sugar was created a life peer in 2009 (shortly after the end of Series 5), since when he has been known as Baron Sugar, of Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney – Lord Sugar for short.
Karren Brady was created Baroness Brady, of Knightsbridge in the City of Westminster, in 2014. She still tends to be known as Karren.
Presenters:
2006–9 |
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Adrian Chiles |
2010–14 |
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Dara Ò Briain |
2015 |
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Jack Dee |
2016–18 |
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Rhod Gilbert |
2019 to date |
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Tom Allen |
In 2011 the series moved from Channel 4 to Channel 5.
Presenter of Big Brother's Bit on the Side (2013–18) |
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Rylan Clark–Neal |
Second place (behind Diversity) in the 2009 final |
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Susan Boyle |
Presenter of Britain's Got More Talent (2007–18)
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Stephen Mulhearn |
Series 1–4 |
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Simon Cowell |
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Amanda Holden |
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Piers Morgan |
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Series 5 |
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Michael McIntyre |
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David Hasselhoff | |||
Series 6–15 |
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Alesha Dixon |
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David Walliams | |||
Series 16 and 17 |
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Bruno Tonioni |
In 2011 the series moved, along with its "senior" (non–celeb) sister progamme, from Channel 4 to Five. Thereafter there were two series per year: one in January and one in late summer (July, August and/or September).
Series | Year | Winner | ||
16 | 2024 |
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Ryan Thomas |
Actor – Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street |
15 | 2023 |
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Nile Wilson |
Olympic gymnast – bronze medal (horizontal bar), Rio 2016 |
14 | 2022 |
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Regan Gascoigne |
Son of Paul Gascoigne |
13 | 2021 |
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Sonny Jay (Mulharrem) |
BGT finalist (2012, in Loveable Rogues) and Capital Radio presenter |
12 | 2020 |
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Joe Swash |
Actor – Mickey Miller in EastEnders (2003–8) |
11 | 2019 |
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James Jordan |
Strictly Come Dancing professional |
10 | 2018 |
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Jake Quickenden |
Former X Factor contestant (2014: eliminated in Week 3) |
Dancing on Ice was shelved after the 2014 "all–star" version, but returned in 2018 – with the same presenters, but a new panel of judges.
Series | Year | Winner | ||
9 | 2014 |
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Ray Quinn |
See Series 4 |
Series 9 was an "all–star" version, featuring six former winners and other previous contestants)
Series | Year | Winner | ||
8 | 2013 |
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Beth Tweddle |
Gymnast – Olympic bronze medallist, London 2012 |
7 | 2012 |
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Matthew Wolfenden |
Actor – David Metcalfe in Emmerdale (2006 to date) |
6 | 2011 |
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Sam Attwater |
Actor – Leon Small in EastEnders (2010) |
5 | 2010 |
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Hayley Tamaddon |
Actress – Del Dingle in Emmerdale, 2005–7, Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, 2013– |
4 | 2009 |
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Ray Quinn |
Actor (Anthony Murray in Brookside, 2000–3) and X–Factor runner–up (2006) |
3 | 2008 |
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Suzanne Shaw |
Singer and actress – Popstars winner and (former) member of Hear'say |
2 | 2007 |
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Kyran Bracken |
Irish–born England rugby footballer (51 caps, 1993–2003) |
1 | 2006 |
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Gaynor Faye |
Actress – Judy Mallett in Coronation Street, 1995–9, Megan Macey in Emmerdale, 2012–19 |
The following appeared as fourth or fifth judges for one or two series:
According to Wikipedia, Torvill & Dean were "Coach/Mentors" in Series 1 to 9. Karen Barber fulfilled the same role in Series 6 and 7, and from Series 11 onwards.
John Barrowman was a contestant in Series 1 (before becoming a judge in Series 12 and 13).
Stephen Mulhearn was a guest host (presenter) in Series 14.
Dragons' Den (there is no definite article in the title) is different from most if not all of the otherseries featured on this page, in that there is no series winner; in fact, the Dragons are the stars and the entrepreneurs who try to win their investment are, with one or two notable exceptions, quickly forgotten – regardless of whether or not they are successful.
But this page seems to me to be the best place to cover this series.
Made a name for himself after taking his Reggae Reggae Sauce into the Den in Series 4, 2007 (real name Keith Valentine Graham) |
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Levi Roots |
The first two series of Dragons' Den were broadcast in 2005. Series 21 was first broadcast in 2024 (January to April).
Former Dragon, returned as a Guest in Series 17 and 18 |
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Theo Paphitis |
Rather like Dragons' Den, in Gladiators it's the Gladiators that are the stars and the contestants are quickly forgotten. You will occasionally get asked to name a gladiator – particularly where the Gladiator name fits a themed round, or if the gladiator is known ouside the context of this television series. For example: "Which Olympic swimmer appeared as Amazon in Series 4 of the UK television series Gladiators?"
Series 1 had nine episodes; series 2 to 7 had 15 episodes each. Series 8 had only three episodes, starting on 11 December 1999 and finishing on New Year's Day 2000.
The following tables show which gladiators appeared in which series.
'Blaze' (Eunice Huthart) appeared in the 1995 Sheffield live show but was never in any of the television series.
'Amazon' and 'Nightshade' were former Olympians.
'Bullit' (Mike Harvey) appeared in the live shows, but not in the television series.
Referee |
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John Anderson |
Bake Off moved from BBC to Channel 4 in 2017 (Series 8), reportedly after a dispute over money. Both presenters, in a joint statement, condemned the decision and said they were "not going with the dough". One of the two judges made the same decision.
Series 1–7 (2010–16) |
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Paul Hollywood |
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Mary Berry |
Series 8 (2017) to date |
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Pru Leith |
'Spin–off' or 'sister' programme: launched in 2014 (to accompany Series 5) |
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An Extra Slice |
Presented by |
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Jo Brand |
Winner of the first Australian series (2015 – former England test cricketer) |
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Andrew Flintoff |
The Australian version of I'm a Celebrity ... is filmed in (country) |
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South Africa |
Series 2 |
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Jonathan Ross |
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Davina McCall |
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Oti Mabuse |
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Peter Crouch |
Series 1 |
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Mo Gilligan |
David Walliams, John Bishop (twice), Holly Willoughby, and Dawn French, have all appeared as guest panellists.
Series | Year | Winner | Disguise | |
2 | 2022 |
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Heather Moss (Glee) | Scissors |
1 | 2021 |
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Louis Smith | Carwash |
Series 2–5 |
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Jonathan Ross |
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Davina McCall |
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Rita Ora |
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Mo Gilligan |
Series 1 |
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Ken Jeong |
Donny Osmond, Sharon Osbourne and her daughter Kelly, Alan Carr, Matt Lucas, and the winner of Series 1, have all appeared as guest panellists.
Series | Year | Winner | Disguise | |
5 | 2023–4 |
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Danny Jones (McFly) | Piranha |
4 | 2023 |
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Charlie Simpson (Busted) | Rhino |
3 | 2022 |
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Nicola Roberts (Girls Aloud) | Queen Bee |
2 | 2020–1 |
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Joss Stone | Sausage |
1 | 2020 |
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Natalie Imbruglia |
Panda |
Start dates for The Masked Singer have varied from 26 December (2021) to 4 January (2020). Each series (to date) has had eight episodes and finished in mid–February.
It's worth noting that Masterchef was the first of all the series featured on this page to be broadcast, and apart from Gladiators it was the only one that started in the 20th century. The next, and probably the one that created reality television as a genre – Big Brother – started in the Netherlands in 1999 and only reached the UK in 2000.
Masterchef underwent a major revamp in 2005 — the now–familiar judges and voiceover replacing the presenter – and for the next three years it was known as Masterchef Goes Large. It reverted to just plain Masterchef in 2008, but the format was (and has remained) the same as in Masterchef Goes Large.
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John Torode |
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Gregg Wallace |
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India Fisher |
Series | Year | Winner | |
3 | 2007 |
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Steven Wallis |
2 | 2006 |
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Peter Bayless |
1 | 2005 |
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Thomasina Miers |
"Iconic" Malaysian dish, which controversially led to the elimination of contestant Zaleha Kadir Olpin from the 2018 series because the chicken skin wasn't crispy (it's not supposed to be) |
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Rendang |
Pop Idol was created by Simon Fuller, who first made his name as manager of the Spice Girls. Its was first broadcast in the UK in 2001, finishing on 20 December.
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Nicki Chapman |
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Simon Cowell |
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Neil Fox |
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Pete Waterman |
Popstars started in New Zealand in 1999, and the first UK series began broadcasting on 10 January 2001.
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Nigel Lythgoe |
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Nicki Chapman |
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Paul Adam |
Former music industry executive, a judge on Popstars and Pop Idol: went on to present Escape to the Country and the BBC's coverage of Chelsea Flower Show |
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Nicki Chapman |
Popstars The Rivals was broadcast on ITV in 2002, finishing on 22 December.
Group formed by the female winners |
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Girls Aloud |
Group formed by the male winners |
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One True Voice |
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Pete Waterman |
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Louis Walsh |
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Geri Halliwell |
Series 1 to 5 had three judges, apart from RuPaul himself:
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Michelle Visage |
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Alan Carr |
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Graham Norton |
Series 1–6 |
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Bruno Tonioli |
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Craig R. Horwood |
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Len Goodman |
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Arlene Phillips |
Series 7–9 |
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Alesha Dixon | ||||||
Series 10–14 |
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Darcey Bussell | ||||||
Series 15–16 |
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Shirley Ballas |
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Series 17–18 |
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Motsi Mabuse |
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Series 19 |
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Anton du Beke |
Motsi Mabuse is a South African dancer who previously appeared on Let's Dance – the German version of Strictly – first as a professional dancer, then as a judge.
Shirley Ballas is an experienced English dance teacher and adjudicator, with no discernible previous broadcasting experience.
Darcey Bussell retired in 2007 as a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. She appeared as a guest judge in Series 7 of Strictly.
Before making her debut as a judge in Series 7, Alesha Dixon had appeared as a contestant, winning Series 5.
Jennifer Grey (American actress, who won Dancing with the Stars – the US version of Strictly – in 2010) appeared as a guest judge in Series 9.
Donny Osmond appeared as a guest judge in Series 12.
2004–10 |
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Claudia Winkleman |
Since 2011 |
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Zöe Ball |
The Voice UK is based on The Voice of Holland, which began in The Netherlands in 2010. It was created by the Dutch media tycoon John de Mol, who is also responsible for Big Brother and Deal or No Deal.
Series | Year | Winner | |
12 | 2023 |
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Jen & Liv |
11 | 2022 |
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Anthonia Edwards |
10 | 2021 |
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Craig Eddie |
9 | 2020 |
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Blessing Chitapa |
8 | 2019 |
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Molly Hocking |
7 | 2018 |
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Ruti Olajugbagbe |
6 | 2017 |
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Mo Adeniran |
The Voice moved from BBC One to ITV after Series 5.
Series | Year | Winner | |
5 | 2016 |
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Kevin Simm |
4 | 2015 |
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Steve McCrorie |
3 | 2014 |
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Jermain Jackman |
2 | 2013 |
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Andrea Begley |
1 | 2012 |
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Leanne Mitchell |
Series 1 & 2 (2012–13) |
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Reggie Yates |
Series 3–5 (2014–16) |
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Marvin Humes |
Series 6 (2017) |
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Cel Spellman |
Series 7 (2018) |
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Jamie Miller / Vick Hope |
Series 8–10 (2019–21) |
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AJ Odudu |
Second place (behind Joe McElderry) in the 2009 final |
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Olly Murs |
Ayda Field is an American actress who has been married to Robbie Williams since 2010. They have four children: daughters Teddy and Coco, and sons Charlie and Beau. Ayda Field has been a regular panellist on Loose Women since 2015.
Paula Abdul was a guest judge in Series 3.
Brian Friedman (choreographer to the stars, and artistic director of The X Factor) was a guest judge in Series 4.
Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, Katy Perry, Pixie Lott and Nicole Scherzinger were guest judges in Series 7.
Alexandra Burke (winner of Series 5) was a guest judge in Series 8.
Geri Halliwell, Leona Lewis, Rita Ora, Nicole Scherzinger, Mel B and Anastacia (an American singer who, to quote Wikipedia, is "consecrated among the most successful artists of the New Millennium") were guest judges in Series 9.
(By June 2017, the line about Anastacia's consecration had been removed from Wikipedia, as I suspected it would be; but three years later – in June 2020 – it could still be found on Chorus Online.)
Tulisa Contostavlos (a former member of the London–based hip–hop group N–Dubz, and one of the main judges in Series 9) was a guest judge in Series 11.
Mel B was a guest judge in Series 13.
Alesha Dixon was a guest judge in Series 14.
Nile Rodgers was a guest judge in Series 15.
© Haydn Thompson 2017–24