EASTENDERS Star and documentary maker Ross Kemp is returning to Scotland for hit BBC One quiz show Bridge of Lies.
The fun series is moving to primetime for a new series featuring teams of celebrity contestants, while a second nail-biting daytime series with contestants from across the UK has also been commissioned for BBC One Daytime.
The new celebrity episodes (8x45) will air in primetime in early 2023, while regular episodes (25x45) of the STV Studios-produced show, filmed in Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, will follow on BBC One Daytime later in 2023.
Ross Kemp said: “I felt sure we hadn’t seen the last of that formidable bridge! Hosting this show, with all its jeopardy, tension and hilarious moments, was one of the most enjoyable parts of my year and I’m delighted that it’s been recommissioned by the BBC.
“The Bridge of Lies is tailor-made for a celeb version so I’m looking forward to putting teams of famous faces to the test. My main tip for them? No matter who you are or what you do, the bridge makes allowances for no one!”
The first series of Bridge of Lies became the BBC’s best-performing daytime quiz show of the previous 12 months when it aired in March this year, with episodes achieving audiences of over one million.
Gary Chippington, Creative Director of Entertainment at STV Studios, said: “We were delighted by the reaction to the first series of Bridge of Lies from viewers and critics alike, and it’s fantastic that the BBC has so much faith in the format to not only commission another daytime series, but a celebrity primetime version too. We can’t wait to get back into the studio in Glasgow with the incomparable Ross Kemp later this year.”
Bridge of Lies sees teams of contestants competing for cash by crossing a bridge made up of stepping stones across the studio floor. Each stepping stone has a different option, and the players must try to get from A to B by stepping on the truths and avoiding the lies, or risk falling off the bridge and out of the game. Series two is currently looking for contestants to take part*.
BBC Commissioning Director Kate Phillips said: “Bridge of Lies was a big hit with Daytime audiences, so to bring it back for a second series and commission a primetime version is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to seeing our competitive celebrities deal with the pressure of the bridge and the pressure of being in the funny and formidable company of Ross, our superb host.”
The first series of Bridge of Lies was commissioned by BBC Daytime as part of a competitive initiative to find innovative new quiz formats made in Scotland. Celebrity Bridge of Lies has been ordered by Kate Phillips, Commissioning Director for the BBC, while series two has been recommissioned by Lindsay Bradbury, Acting Head of Daytime & Early Peak. The Commissioning Editors are Alex McLeod and Neil McCallum.
Both series will again be produced by STV Studios, with Gary Chippington, STV Studios’ Creative Director of Entertainment, continuing to serve as Executive Producer. International format sales, outside of the US, are handled by BBC Studios Distribution.