The Circle’s celeb series in chaos as bosses wait on coronavirus test results after failing to book back-up contestants
The celebrity series of The Circle has been left in jeopardy after bosses failed to book back-up contestants. The Channel 4 reality show is set to start filming a special edition with a host of famous faces this Sunday, but it’s now under threat due to Covid-19. Celebrities who are already signed up to participate […]
The celebrity series of The Circle has been left in jeopardy after bosses failed to book back-up contestants.
The Channel 4 reality show is set to start filming a special edition with a host of famous faces this Sunday, but it’s now under threat due to Covid-19.
Celebrities who are already signed up to participate are currently waiting for the results of their coronavirus tests.
However, if any of them test positive, it seems Channel 4 have not got any stand in celebrities to take their place.
A source told The Sun Online: “They’ve made a boo-boo – they’re testing people for Covid on the 3rd and the 5th of September.
“They were in a mad panic in recent days that they haven’t got any backups. So if anyone has got coronavirus, they’re in trouble.”
Results for coronavirus tests usually take 48 hours to get back, so anyone being tested on Saturday 5th won’t know if they can take part until Monday or Tuesday.
“It’s hard to get famous people last-minute, so it’s unsure what plan B will end being,” the insider added.
Channel 4 confirmed earlier this year that the hilarious social media-inspired game show will officially be back for a third series in 2021 and that the new run will kick off with a week-long celebrity edition.
A group of famous faces will move in to the infamous apartment block and play the game in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
The premise remains that “anyone can be anyone”, with various contestants adopting different avatars to try to win the popularity contest amongst their peers.
Emma Willis will return to present, while comedian Sophie Willan will resume her voiceover role.
“The Circle is just brilliant, unmissable television,” Emma said. “I loved every minute of being a part of it and I’m delighted to be returning to it for another series where I’ll be right at the centre of all the mischief and drama!”
Of the celebrity version, Emma added that she “can’t wait to see who’ll be in the line-up and whether they’ll play as themselves or as another celebrity – it’s going to be incredible”.
The Sun Online revealed back in June that show bosses had approached Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp to star in the celeb edition.
A TV insider said: “Roman has proved hugely popular and the team working on The Circle are desperate to get him on board.
“The show is a Stand Up To Cancer special and is being filmed in Manchester this year.
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“Roman has told his team he is interested in taking part and they are trying to align his schedules. His career has taken off massively after his stint in the Jungle and now Roman is really in demand.
“Along with his radio work, he’s got a lot of TV projects on the boil so he is hoping he can clear his diary.
“Filming is planned to take place over a week so it’s a fair chunk of time to take out of his busy diary. But Roman has made it clear he’d love to get involved.
“The Circle allows you to be really creative and Roman has a cheeky, fun side that the production team think could make for really good viewing,” they added.