Gary Lineker's new game show, "The Box," has been met with a harsh critique, with one reviewer labeling it the "worst game show in TV history." The show, which features ten celebrity contestants, has been described as "spectacularly ill-conceived, tasteless, moronic, dull and infantile."
Published on September 6, 2026, the review in the Daily Mail by TV critic Christopher Stevens, detailed the show's three rounds. The first involved a treasure hunt on a building site to find yellow plywood pieces. The second was an egg-and-spoon race at a racecourse, and the final round was a game of rock, paper, scissors between two players.
Stevens noted that Lineker's role as presenter was limited to shouting vague instructions through a megaphone, with no jokes, patter, or apparent engagement with the show's content. The critic suggested that even a host known for a more performative style might have fared better at masking the show's perceived flaws.
The premise of "The Box" involves ten celebrities arriving at an undisclosed location, each confined within a yellow wardrobe on the back of a truck. The review questioned the logistics and potential implications of such a setup, especially given Lineker's public commentary on other issues. Among the contestants mentioned was former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, whose participation and performance in a race were also noted.
The critic concluded that the show's abysmal quality rendered detailed commentary difficult, using exclamations of "Eurgh. Wow. Gurk. Box. Bleurrh" to convey his strong negative reaction.