Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is among the greatest television quiz shows of all time, and now the classic series is getting a brand new spinoff in the UK.
Jeremy Clarkson is set to continue his relationship with the franchise and host the new offering, Millionaire Hot Seat. The format has already enjoyed great success in Australia and is likely to be a huge hit in the UK when it drops in 2026.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Franchise Continues to Expand
One of the main reasons why Who Wants to Be a Millionaire has managed to cement itself as one of the best quiz formats of all time has been thanks to the way the franchise has spread out in countless ways. Since the show’s 1998 debut in the UK, it has been adapted into various international versions that have also been incredibly successful. The Indian edition was even used as a central theme to Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire in 2008.
Along with the television game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire has been adapted frequently in the gaming market to help attract more viewers to the main series and increase brand recognition. These include mobile titles that allow people to answer questions as if they were on the show themselves. There are even online casino slot games like Millionaire Rush that feature the iconic brand and give people new ways to enjoy it.
What is the Format of the New Spinoff?
Even though the original Who Wants to Be a Millionaire format is still going strong, it’s a good idea to mix things up and offer something new for viewers to enjoy. Millionaire Hot Seat has the potential to appeal to viewers of the flagship show, while also bringing in new audiences who are looking for something with a faster pace.
Instead of a single contestant facing a series of questions alone, six players will take turns sitting in the Hot Seat in front of Clarkson. Each participant will attempt to climb the famous money ladder by answering a sequence of progressively tougher questions. The twist is that, if a contestant answers incorrectly, they’re eliminated and the prize fund drops. The next contestant must then continue from where the previous one left off.
Millionaire Hot Seat Already a Success in Australia
The chances of Millionaire Hot Seat being a success are high, as it has already been running for years in Australia. Indeed, there were 2,630 episodes of the show across 15 seasons, highlighting just how popular it was.
The Australian version ended in 2024, but there is already talk of a revival on a different network. It’s clear that audiences are still keen for this type of content, and the news of the UK adaptation could be a factor as well.
With Clarkson at the helm and the Millionaire Hot Seat format already tried and tested in Australia, this new spinoff looks set to be a major hit for ITV. It’s going to begin with 18 episodes, which will air in 2026.
