Michael McIntyre ‘is set to rake in an impressive £13million from The Wheel as he takes the hit gameshow global’
Michael McIntyre is reportedly set to rake in an impressive £13million from his hit gameshow The Wheel as he takes it global.
The comedian, 44, co-owns the rights to the popular BBC1 series which has featured celebs such as Gemma Collins, Maura Higgins and Prue Leith.
And now he’s launching the show in America through his production company Hungry McBear after NBC ordered 10 episodes.
Not too shabby: Michael McIntyre is reportedly set to rake in an impressive £13million from his hit gameshow The Wheel as he takes it global (pictured on the BBC1 show)
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Americans love an eccentric Brit, which is why they’ve lapped up the likes of Gordon Ramsay and James Corden.
‘But they also love a good gameshow with a simple concept – and The Wheel has the added bonus of being one of the Covid friendly shows because the set up socially distances everyone taking part.
‘As with other hit Brit exports, such as Who Wants to be A Millionaire? and Britain’s Got Talent, they’ll be taking it to lucrative new markets in Asia and across Europe.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Michael’s representative for a comment.
Going stateside: The comedian, 44, is now launching The Wheel in America through his company Hungry McBear, after NBC ordered 10 episodes (pictured on the UK show)
Speaking to Variety about the show going to the states, Michael said: ‘Hosting this show is the most fun I’ve had on television.
‘The format creates wonderful camaraderie among the celebrities, natural hilarity and genuine suspense. I can’t wait for The Wheel to roll across America.’
And it seems the excitement is mutual as President of Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, Mike Darnell, revealed he and NBC ‘picked up’ the show within just 24 hours of it being pitched.
The Wheel sees contestants asked questions as they sit in the centre of a wheel while seven celebrities are placed around them.
Celeb guests: A host of well known names including Gemma Collins (pictured) have appeared on the show since its launch last November
Big hit: The Wheel has also been renewed for a second season in the UK after impressing BBC bosses with his viewing figures (pictured Prue Leith on the show)
Whoever the contestant is facing when they stop after being spun around, is who they’ll have to help them ace the answer.
So far the show’s hosted a range of celebs including Take That’s Howard Donald, TOWIE’s Gemma Collins and Bake Off’s Prue Leith.
The Wheel has also been renewed for a second series in the UK after proving to be a hit and achieving an impressive 6.3m viewers (28 day figure) in its first episode.
Speaking about the news, Michael joked: ‘I am thrilled by the success of The Wheel. The series was so much fun to host and I love how the gameplay in every show was so different but always entertaining and suspenseful.
And having socially distanced strangers sing The Wheel to me on my daily walk has been the unexpected pleasure of lockdown!’
While Dan Baldwin, Managing Director at Hungry McBear Media and husband of Holly Willoughby, added: ‘We are delighted to get a second series of The Wheel commissioned.
‘It is a brilliant hybrid of an entertainment show and quiz, one minute you’re belly laughing, then you’re singing the theme tune, and then your whole family is screaming “Donegal! the answer is Donegal!” Is there a better way to spend a Saturday night?’
Loving it: Michael has said ‘hosting this show is the most fun I’ve had on television’