Channel 4 reality hit The Circle returned as a ratings winner on Tuesday night, attracting its largest ever audience for a launch show that enticed 1.3 million people to tune in.
Positioning a group of contestants in a block of flats, confined only to communicating through social media, the show is now being spearheaded by Emma Willis, who has taken over from previous presenters Maya Jama and Alice Levine.
Introducing the fun live from a Salford studio in a mustard-coloured suit, Willis promised plenty of twists and turns this year, as well as the chance for fans to control the destiny of the participants.
This year, the line-up includes Tim, a Robin Williams lookalike bringing a cat in tow, and Woody Cook – son of Norman Cook and Zoe Ball.
Want to know when to tune in or just confused by what the show is all about? We’ve got you covered…
When is The Circle on Channel 4?
Having launched at 9.15pm on Tuesday, The Circle is continuing in a primetime slot on Channel 4.
The show takes place after another reality regular, First Dates Hotel, when it returns for its next instalment at 10pm tonight.
Every episode will take place at the same time for the rest of the series, but on Fridays a live show will welcome a panel of celebrities guests and the latest player to be blocked – essentially, evicted – from the show.
The series is scheduled to run for just over seven weeks, with the grand final taking place on October 18th.
Who is on The Circle TV show?
Arguably the greatest surprise this year is the inclusion of Richard Madeley, the gaffe-prone veteran TV presenter known for his well-meaning outbursts and gently probing interviews on shows including Richard & Judy and This Morning.
This is not the first time Madeley has signed a surprise deal with Channel 4, having left ITV, where he had presented Richard & Judy with wife Judy Finnigan for 13 years, to join the channel in 2001.
Their early-evening show on the channel continued until 2008, and the couple, who have been married for more than 23 years, have remained TV fixtures in various formats since then.
Richard’s rivals on The Circle include 24-year-old disclosure officer Brooke, 31-year-old model Emelle, 21-year-old Georgina – who will celebrate her 22nd birthday on Saturday – and 26-year-old Liverpudlian recruitment consultant James.
Warning: the video below contains some bad language
Among the plans divulged by the contestants, 43-year-old Katie plans to use the platform to play her 25-year-old son, Jay.
The tanning salon owner from Hampshire says she will use her persona to introduce alpha male banter to The Circle and play the flirt.
University professor Tim, who is a doppelganger for actor Williams, and Somerset farmer Sy are also on the show, together with 18-year-old Cook, whose father is best known as DJ Fatboy Slim.
Can I watch The Circle online? How can I download The Circle’s app?
Fans who can’t watch the show live will be able to catch up online as the drama unfolds in the race to win £100,000.
Last year’s winner, Alex Hobern, earned £75,000 after convincing everyone that he was a woman called Kate, using photos of his girlfriend to strengthen his story.
Intriguingly, viewers will be able to decide what profile Madeley takes by deciding his profile in votes via The Circle app, which is available via the iTunes store and Google Play.
In the first show, fans decided Madeley should play a female role when they were given the choice between the presenter taking on a character of Richard or Judy.
Madeley’s niece, Claire, told Willis: ‘I think he’s probably the nation’s embarrassing uncle. We’re used to him – we love him.
‘Our whole family’s the same – everybody’s as embarrassing as each other. It’s just that he’s on telly, embarrassing us for the family.’
The first two episodes of The Circle series two, as well as every episode from series one, are available on Channel 4’s website.
The Circle continues on Channel 4 tonight at 10pm.
MORE: Richard Madeley becomes Judy on The Circle but viewers think he’s already messed up