Michael McIntyre interview
Michael McIntyre talks about the surprises and treats coming up in the eighth series of his BBC One show.
Are there any wild new segments or laugh-out-loud twists in Series 8 that you can tease?
The big news is that we have a new item called Remember Me where a celebrity sits in the Royal Box and a person from any time in their past appears on stage and asks the question "remember me?" - it could be anyone from the midwife who birthed them, to a holiday romance or the driver who bought them to the theatre. I play it with Miranda Hart, Alan Carr and Holly Willoughby with hilarious results.
Wheel on Wheels was a hit last series. Can we expect more Michael-pops-out-of-nowhere moments, or will you be pulling some new tricks on your fans this time?
Yes! This series we took the Wheel on Wheels van to Birmingham to find someone watching the show at home but ended up finding an Indian takeaway restaurant playing The Wheel on the TV, so I hid behind the till and popped up whenever someone came in to ask them questions from the show to win their food and prizes.
Can you let us in on some of the celebrity guests who will be joining you this series?
As well as Alan Carr, Miranda Hart and Holly Willoughby playing Remember Me, we have Michael Sheen, Judi Love and Tony Bellew playing Send to All.
We have more amazing Unexpected Star Stars who had no idea they were going to be on the series but are each sensational, including Heather Small, Marti Pellow and Justin Hawkins.
It's also a vintage year for Midnight Gameshows with Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott both being surprised at the same time, Josh Widdicombe and more - all are totally hilarious.
And there are loads of celebrity cameos helping me with surprises including Jamie Oliver, Olly Murs and Luke Littler. It's a jam-packed series!
You've had some legendary moments on the Big Show - any laugh-out-loud, side-splitting, or downright bizarre ones from Series 8 that stick out?
The TV Takeover item where we make a bespoke version of Olly Murs' Who Do You Think You Are? and play it into the house of one of his superfans is one of the funniest things we've ever done.
And Sam and Zara's Midnight Gameshow was a highlight too as they had locked their bedroom door from the inside! So, I couldn't get in! They were terrified as I had to knock on the door - but thankfully they then had the time of their lives.
Big Show is also known for creating some real heartfelt items too for deserving members of the public. Were there any big tear-jerker moments in this series?
It's so wonderful that the Big Show can give special people a once in a lifetime experience. There is an inspirational Unexpected Star called Peter who has been singing every day by his wife's bedside as she receives end of life care. He's a truly wonderful man and character and so deserving of the special moment he had performing on our stage.
There is also an unmissable surprise on huge darts fan Gary, whose son died recently of cancer. He has dedicated himself to fundraising in his son's name, but his family wanted him to have a special night and that we did. He thought he was going to watch the World Matchplay in Blackpool but ended up playing with Luke Littler in front of thousands of people - and he played amazingly!
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