Following the announcement that Channel 4's ground-breaking reality gameshow The Circle will be returning for an extended run and a weekly live episode, it has now been confirmed that Emma Willis will host.
The first series was hosted by Maya Jama and Alice Levine who will not be returning. Other changes this year include an extended run, more live episodes, a new setting of Greater Manchester and an increased potential prize fund of £100,000.
The Circle is the popularity game where anyone can be anyone. Players can choose to be whomever they think will make them most popular with other players. They don’t get to know each other face-to-face, meeting each other through the profiles they choose to share through The Circle (a purpose-built, voice activated social media site) and the information they release via chats. Last year, contestant Alex Hobern won £75,000 catfishing as ‘Kate’.
The players live in separate apartments in a single building and play games and chat with each other through The Circle. They rate each other frequently and unpopular players are blocked. Once blocked, and before leaving the show, the eliminated players will get to meet other players in person for the first time. Ultimately, the most popular player wins a cash prize of up to £100,000.
Building on the success of the first series, the live shows will give viewers at home the chance to influence the narrative in The Circle in different dramatic ways via the show’s bespoke app.
Speaking about joining the show, Emma Willis said "I’m an avid people watcher and fascinated by the positives and negatives of social media. I got hooked on the first series and thought it was a smart format that highlights how we shouldn’t take everything on social media at face value.
“I’m delighted to be part of something that is incredibly relevant and can’t wait to join the team and see how mischievous people are prepared to be for £100,000.”
Channel 4's Deputy Director of Programmes and Head of Popular Factual, Kelly Webb-Lamb, commented “We’re so excited to welcome Emma into The Circle. She’s a fantastic talent for Channel 4 and will be the perfect person to guide us through the gameplay and mischievousness of The Circle.”
Whilst Studio Lambert's Creative Director, Tim Harcourt said“Emma brings charm, warmth and humour to all of her TV projects. She has a great passion for her shows which is why the audience love her. We’re thrilled to have her on The Circle.”
The Circle proved very popular with younger viewers who were fond of the programme's format and unique take on the reality TV genre. The series became Channel 4’s youngest profiling show since 2012 with an average of 49.4% profile of 16-24s. And on All 4, The Circle was the biggest new original commission launch since 2012, with over 10 million views.
You can register to apply for the series here.
The Circle returns later this year on Channel 4