Graham Norton looks set to return to ITV for another series of Wheel of Fortune, and honestly, we are not exactly surprised.
Some shows just make sense with Graham Norton at the wheel, literally.
The much-loved game show is reportedly coming back for a fourth series revival after proving to be popular with viewers. The original Wheel Of Fortune was hugely successful in the 80s and 90s before being revived by in 2024 with Graham as host.
Since the reboot three seasons have aired with apparently more to come. TVZone has reported that the show is set to return to ITV with “even more excitement, laughter, and big money prizes”.
While no official air date has been confirmed just yet, the reported return suggests the reboot is clearly still working for ITV.
And viewers seem to agree.
The reboot has received plenty of love online, with one Reddit user reportedly calling it the “greatest game show on TV”, while another viewer described it as the “best game show on Earth”.
Others praised just how fun the show is, with one viewer saying: “I love it,” while another called the rebooted series “amazing”.
Graham himself has also received plenty of praise from fans, which again, is not exactly shocking. One viewer reportedly wrote on Instagram: “No one better, he’s the king of hosting!!”
And to be fair, they might have a point.
There are very few people who can make a rebooted game show feel warm, silly and easy to watch without making it feel dated. Graham has always had that rare ability to make TV feel relaxed, even when there is a giant wheel, a studio audience and big cash prizes involved.
The reported Wheel of Fortune return comes after less positive news for another of Graham’s ITV projects.
His reality show The Neighbourhood has reportedly been axed after just one series, following disappointing ratings and viewer complaints.
The show launched in April and saw six real-life households move into a self-contained street to compete for a £250,000 jackpot. It was originally given a prime 9pm slot but was reportedly moved from its prime-time position less than two weeks after its debut.
Not ideal.
The concept had big reality TV ambitions, with some hopes it could become ITV’s answer to shows like The Traitors. But according to reports, it struggled to find the same audience and was later said to have been cancelled altogether.
Still, if anyone can brush off one TV miss, it is Graham Norton.
Between his long-running chat show, his Eurovision connection and now the apparent return of Wheel Of Fortune, he is hardly short of things to do. And if anything, the contrast between The Neighbourhood and Wheel Of Fortune probably proves one thing: audiences still love Graham most when he is doing what he does best.
Keeping things funny, easy and just chaotic enough.
So while The Neighbourhood may not have been the next big ITV hit, Wheel Of Fortune seems to have found its place. It is nostalgic without feeling too tired, competitive without being stressful, and hosted by one of the safest pairs of hands-on television.
Sometimes, the classics really do work for a reason.
Words by Andrew Connolly
