10 best entertainment shows to watch in 2026 - from Gladiators to The Claudia Winkleman Show

Who says shiny-floor TV is dead? Looking at the schedules for 2026, the entertainment genre is in rude health, kicking off strong this month with Claudia et al in the Traitors’ castle, before handing off to a host of other shows throughout the year.

Whether you’re interested in a Gladiatorial contest, a laughter lesson, a bit of celeb chat, nosy neighbours or ‘summit’ completely different (with thanks to Ben Shephard), there’s really something for everyone in the UK’s unscripted TV offering this year.

Here are 10 of our top picks for the reality and entertainment shows heading to the small screen this year – and remember, this is just the beginning. Time to set a few reminders...

10 best entertainment shows to watch in 2026 - from Gladiators to The Claudia Winkleman Show

1. Gladiators – coming to BBC One from Saturday 17th January

Do you feel the power... of the Gladiator? The BBC’s hugely successful reboot has pugil stick-battered its way to this third series, which looks set to be as popular with families as the first two. All your favourite musclebound lads and lasses are back – including the injured ‘glads’ benched last series – alongside some new games, including one revived from the original series. Bradley and Barney Walsh are back on hosting duties.

2. Michael McIntyre’s Big Show – coming to BBC One from Saturday 17th January

McIntyre’s back, taking the Michael with his revolving set of formats, from Send to All and the Unexpected Star of the show to The Midnight Gameshow, which this series includes Jonathan Ross and Joe Marler – one of whom will get a Traitors-inspired twist to their nighttime quizzing. Plus, expect more pranks and surprises for the theatre audience, including a new segment simply titled ‘Big Surprise’…

3. Mock the Week – coming to TLC from 1st February

Return of the Mock! Just over three years after it was canned by the BBC, digital channel TLC has risen the topical panel show from beyond the grave. While longtime host Dara O Briain is back in charge and some familiar guests from the old show are confirmed to appear across the series (including Hugh Dennis, Ed Byrne and Sara Pascoe) expect some changes too, including a longer runtime (now an hour with adverts) and some fresh rounds alongside the old favourites.

4. The Summit – coming soon to ITV1

The pressure is Mountain for the 14 strangers attempting this reality show, which has them competing to scale an 8,500ft peak in the New Zealand wilderness for a chance at a £200,000 cash prize. This Morning’s, Ben Shephard is on hosting duties as these social climbers face challenges, team up and betray each other on their way to the top.

5. Last One Laughing – coming soon to Prime Video

That rare meeting of comedians where the winning move is not to laugh returns. Last year, Bob Mortimer’s poker face saw off all competitors – but with a new crop of stand-ups now taking him on, can he stifle his chuckles? Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty return as hosts, with while the contestants are Mortimer, David Mitchell, Mel Giedroyc, Alan Carr, Romesh Ranganathan, Amy Gledhill, Maisie Adam, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Sam Campbell, and Diane Morgan.

6. The Claudia Winkleman Show – coming to BBC One this spring

With her ballroom days behind her and fresh from the Traitors' castle, Claudia’s next challenge will be channelling her ‘Clauditorium’ Strictly debrief skills into celeb sofa chats. Kicking off in spring, the series – made by Graham Norton’s So Television production company – is expected to fill the gaps while The Graham Norton Show is off-air.

7. The Neighbourhood – coming this year to ITV1 and ITVX

Speaking of Norton, he’s set to front his own display of social gameplay and betrayal. In ITV’s 12-part series, coming this year, real-life families and households will move into a specially-built street and take each other on in various challenges and contests, defeating their neighbours while trying to remain popular – and then voting each other out.

8. The Box – coming this year to ITV1 and ITVX

Used to being boxed in – whether by other players or BBC bosses – Gary Lineker is presumably the perfect host for this remake of a Norwegian series. Each episode, celeb contestants are packed up into yellow boxes and sent off to find themselves in different locations and unusual challenges. The first crop of contestants includes Ellie Taylor, John Bercow, Ranvir Singh and Sara Davies.

9. Saturday Night Live UK – Coming this year to Sky Max and NOW

After celebrating its half-century last year, the venerable US sketch show is getting a UK transplant. While longtime SNL boss Lorne Michaels is still executive producing, the writers and cast of the new spin-off will be from the UK, alongside a celebrity host and musical guest each week. Currently, information about those involved is top secret, but expect news soon…

10. Would You Rather: Decide to Survive – Coming this year to Prime Video

An entertainment format hosted by Romesh Ranganathan – surely not?? This time, the reliably safe pair of hands chairs a game show where “familiar faces” compete in challenges based on simple ‘would you rather’ decisions. Apparently, their choices will affect everything from what they eat to who is eliminated each episode.

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