The Weakest Link returns to BBC One with not one but two festive specials celebrating the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Hosted by Romesh Ranganathan, the iconic quiz show brings eight celebrities together for each special, with contestants competing to accumulate up to £50,000 for their individual chosen charities while facing the merciless elimination format that has defined the show’s appeal since its 1990s debut. Two separate lineups, two different competitions, and two opportunities to witness the intense strategic gameplay and social dynamics that make The Weakest Link uniquely compelling television.
These specials arrive as Series 5 continues its successful run on BBC One, with earlier episodes achieving 7.6 IMDb ratings and attracting dedicated audiences nationwide. The show has evolved from American import into British television staple, with Romesh Ranganathan’s hosting style bringing humor, humanity, and occasional awkwardness to proceedings.
The Format: Team Strategy Meets Individual Betrayal
The Weakest Link operates on psychology as much as knowledge. Eight celebrities work together as a team, answering general knowledge questions to build a communal prize pot. However, each answer carries individual stakes—contestants who fail their questions risk being voted off as “The Weakest Link” by their fellow competitors.
The Core Mechanics:
Building the Pot: Through correct answers, the team accumulates money—amounts varying based on difficulty and question type. Success is rewarded; failure means no money is added that round.
The Voting Phase: Each round, contestants vote on who they believe is “The Weakest Link”—the one least likely to know the answers or most disposable to the group. The person with the most votes leaves the game immediately, taking nothing with them (unless previously accumulated, which resets each round in most formats).
Strategic Layering: Contestants must balance genuine assessment of others’ knowledge with social manipulation. Voting someone out protects the team strategically but also builds resentment. Conversely, keeping weak players might maintain team morale but risks losing the accumulated prize.
The Endgame: After multiple eliminations, two final contestants remain. They face head-to-head questioning, with the winner claiming the entire accumulated prize for their chosen charity.
Christmas Special: Eight Festive Competitors
The Christmas Special features a distinctly celebratory lineup designed to capture yuletide energy and entertainment value.
Lou Sanders – The stand-up comedian and television personality brings comedic sensibility and wit to the panel. Sanders’ career spans live performance, television appearances, and entertainment industry credibility.
Martine McCutcheon – The actress and singer is best known for her iconic role as Tiffany Dean in EastEnders (1998-2020), where she became one of the soap’s most recognizable and beloved characters. McCutcheon has successfully transitioned into broader entertainment, including Strictly Come Dancing participation and various television ventures.
David O’Doherty – The Irish comedian brings wit, observational humor, and entertainment industry expertise to the competition.
Ade Adepitan – The television presenter and Paralympian brings athletic achievement alongside media experience. Adepitan’s background as a Paralympics gold medalist and subsequent television career demonstrates diverse expertise and competitive drive.
Ross King – The television personality and entertainment figure contributes media industry knowledge and competitive energy to the festive lineup.
Jess Wright – The television personality from TOWIE (The Only Way Is Essex) brings contemporary entertainment industry credentials and social media savvy to the competition.
Eddie Kadi – The comedian returns to The Weakest Link platform, bringing established comedy credentials and entertainment experience.
Blu Hydrangea – The drag performer and entertainment personality brings theatrical energy, humor, and cross-platform entertainment expertise to the festive competition.
New Year Party Special: Eight Fresh Celebrities
The New Year Party Special introduces an entirely different lineup, creating separate competitive narratives and engaging different audiences.
Charlotte Crosby – The television personality from Geordie Shore and subsequent television ventures brings reality television and entertainment industry experience to the competition.
Patsy Palmer – The actress is best known for her iconic role as Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders (1993-2003, 2007-2022). Palmer has built a significant career spanning soap opera acting, reality television, and broader entertainment work.
Keith Brymer-Jones – The television personality and entertainment figure brings media industry experience and competitive presence to the panel.
Ian ‘H’ Watkins – The singer and television presenter from Steps (the iconic 1990s pop group) brings music industry credentials and entertainment experience. Steps achieved extraordinary commercial success as a British-Norwegian pop ensemble, establishing Watkins as a music industry figure.
Fatima El Ghorri – The television personality and media professional contributes media industry expertise and contemporary entertainment credentials.
Merlin Griffiths – The entertainment personality and media figure brings television and entertainment industry experience to the competition.
Bash The Entertainer – The performer and entertainment personality brings theatrical energy and performance expertise to the New Year special lineup.
Luke Hamnett – The entertainer and media personality completes the New Year lineup with entertainment industry credentials and competitive presence.
Romesh Ranganathan: Host and Entertainment Authority
Romesh Ranganathan represents contemporary British comedy and entertainment excellence. The accomplished comedian brings humor, humanity, and occasional randomness to The Weakest Link hosting duties, transforming potentially harsh quiz show format into entertaining television.
Ranganathan’s hosting approach balances genuine engagement with contestants against comedic detachment. He provides moments of levity while maintaining the show’s psychological pressure—a balance requiring both performance skill and authentic interest in contestants’ emotional journeys.
In promotional commentary, Ranganathan emphasized his enthusiasm: “The Weakest Link is returning, and it’s more exciting than ever with three fantastic specials set to air next month, plus even more during Christmas. I’m not being partial when I say it’s a wonderful show, and I can’t wait to introduce more awkward pauses and tense farewells to Saturday nights on BBC One.”
The Broadcast Schedule and Charity Connection
Both specials air during their respective holiday periods on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, positioning The Weakest Link within the BBC’s festive and New Year entertainment programming blocks.
Charity Stakes: Each contestant competes nominally for themselves, but victories directly benefit their individually chosen charities. This structure transforms competition from purely entertainment into genuine charitable fundraising, with contestants motivated by genuine desire to support causes they care about.
Production Details: The show is produced by BBC Studios Entertainment, a division handling significant BBC entertainment properties. Pete Ogden and Gareth Edwards serve as Executive Producers, with Neil McCallum serving as BBC Commissioning Editor.
The Broader Series Success: From American Import to British Institution
The Weakest Link originated as an American quiz show format created by the legendary British broadcaster Anne Robinson, who hosted the original American version and the original British version (1999-2002). The show became a global phenomenon, adapted in multiple countries and languages.
The Modern Revival: The 2020s Romesh Ranganathan-hosted version represents a contemporary reimagining of the format, successfully reestablishing the show on BBC One with strong viewership and critical reception. Unlike traditional celebrity game shows emphasizing frivolity, The Weakest Link maintains genuine strategic gameplay requiring real knowledge and social analysis.
Series 5 Context: The 2025 series marks series five of the Ranganathan-hosted version, demonstrating sustained audience interest and BBC commitment to the format. Multiple specials throughout 2025—including Radio 2 Special (October), Battle of the Nations, and Redemption Special—indicate creative expansion and format confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Christmas and New Year specials air?
The Christmas Special and New Year Party Special air during their respective holiday periods on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with exact dates and times announced by BBC scheduling.
How many celebrities compete in each special?
Eight celebrities compete in each special—one group for the Christmas Special and a different group for the New Year Party Special.
What is the maximum prize pot?
Teams can accumulate up to £50,000 through correct answers, though the actual prize depends on their performance and successful accumulation throughout the competition.
Who benefits if a contestant wins?
Each contestant competes for their individually chosen charity. If they win, their selected charity receives the prize money.
What is the elimination format?
Contestants are voted out each round by fellow competitors as “The Weakest Link.” The person with the most votes leaves immediately. Eventually, two finalists compete head-to-head.
Can eliminated contestants return?
No, elimination is permanent in standard format, though special Redemption episodes bring back previously eliminated contestants.
Is this similar to previous Weakest Link specials?
Yes, this continues the tradition of themed specials that have previously included Strictly Come Dancing, comedians, Gladiators, and duos.
Can I stream after broadcast?
Yes, both specials will be available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand viewing following initial broadcast
