AFTER decades on TV, Sitting On A Fortune was Gary Lineker’s first stint as a gameshow host – and it may well be his last.
The primetime ITV quiz was binned by the channel in October after two series and the footie legend-turned-broadcaster has opened up for the first time about the news.
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![Gary is also celebrating 30 years as the face of Walkers crisps](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NINTCHDBPICT000868389655.jpg?resize=480%2C360&ssl=1)
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And he reckons the show’s had one problem — it produced too many winners.
Gary told me: “I don’t think ITV had the budget for it which is a shame because it was really cool.
“I did enjoy it, it was fun.
“But people pretty much won every week — and won plenty of money.
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“And I think that made it quite difficult for ITV!
“I must say, though, it was getting to a stage where I’m pretty busy.I don’t know whether I’d have carried on anyway.”
Gary has his hands full as host of Match Of The Day which will get more hectic next year with the Euro 2024 championships, plus he’s now doing more work for the show off-screen.
He added: “We’ve got the Euros coming up so it’s going to be busy. We’re focussing a lot on the podcast world too because it’s fun and has grown. I’ve tried to move with the times but I’m a bit of a technophobe, but I’ve got better.”
Some might argue the modern world has brought Gary nothing but trouble after a string of rows in the media over political opinions the BBC host has posted.
‘Burst out laughing’
The Leicester City legend laughed off the suggestion he had now quit social media — but admitted the furore over his views might one day see him cancelled.
He said: “I’m mainly a Twitter person, well, X as it’s called now.
Although it won’t be long before I am an ex-person. I don’t even read it any more, it’s just useful in terms of promotion.”
Elsewhere, Gary is celebrating 30 years as the face of Walkers crisps.
He admits he’s had a lot of fun making the adverts but his one with former England World Cup teammate Paul Gascoigne is his pick of the bunch.
He added: “I think I’ve done over 150 adverts now but my favourite is still the one I did with Gazza.
“He was trying to pinch my crisps then I squeeze his hand, and because of Italia 90, where he cried, they put this contraption on his eyes that spouted tears. And every time it happened, we just burst out laughing and we just couldn’t do it.
“It must have been about 100 takes.”
Ranvir’s return
RANVIR SINGH is back on New Year’s Day for another run of her Riddiculous quiz show.
The Good Morning Britain presenter will be joined again by Henry Lewis as The Riddlemaster after last year’s successful first series.
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The ITV1 programme sees contestants go head-to-head on quick-fire general knowledge questions before they face a riddle.
An insider said: “Ranvir and Henry are back in their daytime slot with new teams wanting to win the prize pot by facing Henry’s Riddle Run.
It begins at 3.45pm on January 1 with further episodes in store, weekdays at 3pm.
Bellew so box office
BOXER Tony Bellew won a new legion of fans as runner-up on I’m A Celebrity – but he already has plenty of admirers in Hollywood.
He wowed cinemagoers in Rocky spin-offs Creed and Creed III, alongside Michael B Jordan.
![Tony Bellew is getting attention from Hollywood stars](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tony-bellew-attends-dazn-x-754299401.jpg?resize=639%2C960&ssl=1)
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And he revealed that big American producers are pushing for him to make more movies.
He said: “Irwin Winkler, who made amazing movies, he said to me, ‘Son, there’s a future for you in Hollywood, you can really, really act.’ He said to me, ‘Forget about getting punched in the face, it’s a brutal sport’.
“Never say never when it comes to Hollywood. I’m sure there will be opportunities in the future. I’m sure it won’t be too far away, to be honest.”
Those Bushtucker Trials are sure to have helped him.
Back to Benidorm?
BENIDORM could be making a comeback after creator Derren Litten told fans he was returning to scriptwriting.
He said: “I have had clear indications that certain TV channels are interested and I hope you will be watching the fruits of my labour.”
Benidorm ran for ten series on ITV until 2018.
Duo keep up with the Jones
GREG James will help get New Year off to a whip-cracking start as he brings us The Unofficial Science of Indiana Jones.
Joined by Maisie Adam, the Radio 1 DJ will delve into Harrison Ford’s epic saga to find out whether the explorer’s classic stunts are possible.
![This New Year Greg James will bring us The Unofficial Science of Indiana Jones](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/unofficial-science-indiana-jones-first-868376805.jpg?resize=960%2C639&ssl=1)
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![Our exclusive pics show Maisie Adam heading into the unknown](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/unofficial-science-indiana-jones-first-868376808.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
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The duo will be joined by scientists to attempt to dodge poisonous darts, outrun giant boulders and survive fireballs.
My exclusive pic shows Greg atop a run away minecart while Maisie heads into the unknown.
Elsewhere in the special, on Sky Max and Now on New Year’s Day, Alex Brooker meets some of the cast to hear their favourite on-set stories.
Either way kids, this is one not to try at home.
![The pair will delve into Harrison Ford's epic saga to find out whether the explorer’s classic stunts are possible](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NINTCHDBPICT000659627176.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
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Towie on tour
THE Only Way Is Essex is taking its cast to Bali.
The tropical paradise will be the setting for the first of two series next year.
ITV chief Paul Mortimer said: “Towie is still going strong after 12 years. It remains the number one show on ITVBe and a streaming stalwart on ITVX.”
Cheat is on again at BBC
ONE of telly’s sexiest shows is set for a second series.
Almost two years after it first aired, BBC One comedy Cheaters will begin filming again in March.
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Susan Wokoma, who played Fola in the steamy sitcom, tells me: “We are delighted to be back, and with the same cast. We can’t wait to get going.”
The series followed Fola and Josh, played by Joshua McGuire, who enjoyed a boozy one-night stand away from their partners, only to find out they were new neighbours.
The affair continued under the noses of their partners Zack, played by Jack Fox, and Esther, portrayed by Callie Cooke.
The new series, to be screened later in 2024, is expected to pick up where the last episodes left.