ITV has announced the full celebrity lineup for Gary Lineker's new game show, 'The Box,' marking the former 'Match of the Day' host's first major television role since his departure from the BBC. The show, which is based on a format that launched earlier this year in Norway, will feature ten celebrities who will be transported to unknown locations inside yellow boxes and face unexpected challenges. Lineker, who recently ended Ant and Dec's 23-year winning streak at the National Television Awards, expressed excitement about the diverse cast, stating that the mix of strengths and abilities among the contestants mirrors the composition of successful teams.

The contestants include reality TV star Joey Essex, known for 'The Only Way Is Essex,' and former Commons Speaker John Bercow, who previously appeared on the US version of 'The Traitors.' They are joined by 'The Chase' star Jenny Ryan, JLS singer JB Gill, YouTube personality Danny Aarons, and 'Lorraine' presenter Ranvir Singh. Completing the lineup are 'Dragons' Den' star Sara Davies, former footballer Graeme Souness, comedian Ellie Taylor, and 'Love Island' contestant Shakira Khan. The show has been compared to 'I'm A Celebrity' and 'SAS: Who Dares Wins,' promising a blend of physical, mental, and logical challenges.

In each episode, the celebrities will be released from their boxes with minimal or no instruction, forced to decipher and tackle whatever game awaits them. The challenges are designed to be unpredictable, ranging from funny to daunting, with the show teasing 'shocking reveals,' 'mind-bending puzzles,' and 'twists.' At the end of each installment, the two worst-performing contestants will face 'The Duel,' a high-stakes head-to-head game where the loser is eliminated from the competition. This format ensures a gradual reduction of the cast until a winner emerges.

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV's Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, highlighted the entertainment value of observing how each celebrity reacts to the varying challenges. Production company Twofour's Chief Content Officer, Dan Adamson, echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about how the cast will rise to the occasion. While a specific release date has not been confirmed, 'The Box' is expected to air on ITV in 2026, following filming in the UK later this year. The show represents a significant step in Lineker's career transition, leveraging his experience and public profile to anchor a new entertainment format for the channel.

A man in his 50s remains in life-threatening condition after sustaining a serious head injury during an altercation with door staff outside licensed premises in Lurgan, County Armagh. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning around 12:55am in the William Street area of the town, according to police statements from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Detective Inspector Handley confirmed that the man had been attempting to re-enter the licensed premises when he became aggressive toward two members of the door staff. Police reports indicate that the door staff pushed the man backward, causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground, resulting in the serious head injury that now threatens his life.

The door staff provided immediate medical treatment to the injured man before he was transported to hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police have not released additional details about the man's identity or current medical status, focusing instead on their ongoing investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

PSNI detectives are continuing their enquiries and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information, CCTV footage, or mobile phone recordings of the incident to come forward. The police reference number for the investigation is 75 of 19/10/25, and information can be provided through multiple channels including the PSNI website or anonymously via Crimestoppers.