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The Box 2026 line-up: Meet the celebrity contestants

Gary Lineker's new game show has finally arrived.

A group of people stood looking ahead as they take in information.

Twofour

Published: Saturday, 5 September 2026 at 6:00 pm

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After plenty of teasers over the summer, ITV's The Box is finally making its way to TV screens and there are just hours to go before it begins!

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Tonight (5 September), a group of celebrity contestants will find themselves placed inside yellow boxes before they are transported to mystery locations, where they must tackle surprise physical, mental and logical challenges with very little instruction.

Each episode will follow the famous faces as they are carried in their boxes to unknown spots and left to work out what to do on the spot. At the end of every episode, the two lowest performers face off in The Duel, with the loser eliminated and the winner staying in the competition.

The line-up is incredibly stacked, featuring names across the entertainment, music, sport and politics worlds.

Read on to find out more about the cast of The Box on ITV.

The Box cast: Full line-up of celebrity contestants

Below is a list of the contestants confirmed to be taking part in The Box 2026.

Read on to learn more about the contestants taking part.

Joey Essex

Joey Essex.

Joey Essex. Twofour

Age: 36

Job: Television personality

Instagram: @joeyessex

Joey Essex is one of British reality television's most familiar faces, having risen to fame on The Only Way Is Essex before appearing across a long run of shows including I'm a Celebrity, Dancing on Ice and Love Island.

Before television, he famously worked at Billingsgate fish market. He has since branched out into professional boxing, having made his debut last year.

John Bercow

John Bercow wearing a shirt and trousers, posing with his arms folded and body turned to one side as he smiles ahead.

John Bercow. Twofour

Age: 63

Job: Former Speaker of the House of Commons

Instagram: @johnbercowspeaker

John Bercow served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 2009 to 2019, becoming known for his booming calls of "Order!" during Commons debates. Before entering politics he worked in banking and as a public affairs consultant.

Since leaving Parliament he has taken on media and public speaking work, and has appeared on reality formats including The Traitors US.

Jenny Ryan

Jenny Ryan stood smiling with one hand in her pocket.

Jenny Ryan. Twofour

Age: 44

Job: Quizzer and TV personality

Instagram: @jenny_from_the_quiz

Jenny Ryan is best known as The Vixen, one of the professional chasers on ITV's long-running quiz show The Chase, a role she has held since 2015. She studied at the University of Leeds, appearing on University Challenge in 2003 as part of a team that reached the semi-finals, and went on to compete on Mastermind in 2006, choosing Buffy the Vampire Slayer as her specialist subject.

She has since branched out into other TV projects, including Celebrity MasterChef, and also reached the final of Celebrity X Factor in 2019.

JB Gill

JB Gill wearing a white shirt and black trousers, smiling ahead.

JB Gill. Twofour

Age: 39

Job: Singer, presenter and farmer

Instagram: @jbgill

JB Gill rose to fame as a member of boy band JLS, who found success after finishing as runners-up on The X Factor in 2008.

Since the group's initial split he has built a second career as a farmer and presenter, appearing on shows such as Countryfile, and he reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2024.

Danny Aarons

Danny Aarons wearing a full grey tracksuit, smiling ahead, with one hand in his pocket.

Danny Aarons. Twofour

Age: 24

Job: Content creator

Instagram: @dannyaarons

Danny Aarons is a British content creator and online personality who has built a large following through gaming and social media.

Ranvir Singh

Ranvir Singh.

Ranvir Singh. Twofour

Age: 49

Job: Broadcaster and journalist

Instagram: @ranvirtv

Ranvir Singh is a journalist and presenter who has fronted Good Morning Britain since its 2014 launch, becoming the programme's Political Editor in 2017. She has also hosted ITV's quiz show Riddiculous and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.

Sara Davies

Sara Davies wearing a red tracksuit, smiling ahead with her arms folded.

Sara Davies. Twofour

Age: 42

Job: Entrepreneur

Instagram: @saradaviescc

Sara Davies is the entrepreneur behind crafting business Crafter's Companion, which she founded while at university. She joined Dragons' Den in 2019 as its youngest-ever Dragon at the time, before stepping away from the show in 2025 to focus on her business.

Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness.

Graeme Souness. Twofour

Age: 73

Job: Former footballer, manager and pundit

Instagram: @soueyofficial

Graeme Souness is a former midfielder who captained Liverpool during their most successful era before moving into football management. After retiring, he became one of the most recognisable pundits, and is known for his blunt, no-nonsense analysis on match days.

Ellie Taylor

Ellie Taylor wearing a red pantsuit, smiling ahead.

Ellie Taylor. Twofour

Age: 42

Job: Comedian and presenter

Instagram: @elliejanetaylor

Ellie Taylor is a comedian, writer and presenter best known internationally for playing Flo 'Sassy' Collins in Ted Lasso between 2020 and 2023. On UK television she has appeared on Mock the Week and Strictly Come Dancing, and has hosted programmes including Bake Off: The Professionals and The Great Pottery Throw Down.

She was recently announced as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing companion series It Takes Two.

Shakira Khan

Shakira Khan.

Shakira Khan. Twofour

Age: 23

Job: Reality television personality

Instagram: @shakirakhan16

Shakira Khan became a breakout star on Love Island in 2025, having reached the final alongside boyfriend Harry Cooksley. Before television she worked in marketing and as a weekend children's entertainer.

This year, she returned to the world of Love Island as co-host of companion series The Debrief.

The Box begins on Saturday 5 September at 8:15pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Add The Box to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

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Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more TV recommendations and reviews listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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