The Box Odds: Graeme Souness Tipped For Success In Gary Lineker's New Game Show
Gary Lineker has been retired from football for more than 30 years - but he is finally getting back in The Box thanks to his new series.
The former Match of the Day presenter is to front a brand-new ITV game show called The Box, and a fellow former footballer is the early favourite on betting sites to win the programme.
Speaking about hosting the show, which will air in 2026, former England star Lineker said: "I can't wait to host The Box.
"I've always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar.
"Contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control.
"It's going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I'm excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action."
In the show, there will be 10 yellow boxes, and each will house a celebrity contestant.
The stars will be transported to unknown locations and challenged to play games outside of their box.
At the end of the week, two players will face off in The Duel, and the loser will exit the competition.
The nation has spoken... @GaryLineker is TV Presenter of the Year! #NTAs pic.twitter.com/wZO2mmBx5w
— National TV Awards (@OfficialNTAs) September 10, 2025
Souness Back In The Box
Celebrities who are set to take part in the series include former TOWIE star Joey Essex, The Chase's Jenny Ryan and JLS singer JB Gill.
Former football player and manager Graeme Souness is also part of the line-up and he is no stranger to the host.
Like Lineker, the Scot knew a thing or two about success in the box during his playing days, which could inspire Souness, who was a serial winner during his career, to victory.
He won five league titles, three European Cups and four League Cups in seven seasons with Liverpool, and he also won two league titles and three League Cups as a player-manager for Glasgow Rangers.
Souness is not exactly renowned for signing up for reality TV shows, so you would think he might fancy his chances of victory in this, too, purely because he has agreed to take part.
The ex-Scotland international is the early 6/4 favourite on betting apps to win the inaugural series of The Box, followed closely by top quizzer Jenny (7/4).
The Box Odds: Outright Winner Odds
Contestant | Odds | Probability |
Graeme Souness | 6/4 | 40% |
Jenny Ryan | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Sara Davies | 2/1 | 33.3% |
John Bercow | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Danny Aarons | 3/1 | 25% |
JB Gill | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Ranvir Singh | 4/1 | 20% |
Ellie Taylor | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Shakira Khan | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Joey Essex | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Crafty Sara In With A Chance
Dragons' Den star Sara Davies is also taking part in the show, and she is used to being on the box in the BBC business show.
Davies has carved out an impressive entrepreneurial career, after starting her company Crafter's Companion when she was a student.
She is 2/1 to strike victory in The Box, followed by John Bercow (5/2) - the former Speaker of the House of Commons.
He has faced many political battles in his time, but will he come unstuck in The Duel?
Another contestant who is no stranger to a fight is YouTuber and boxer Danny Aarons.
Aarons has more than 2.2million Instagram followers and nearly 2m YouTube followers.
The Box Odds: First Duel Defeat
Contestant | Odds | Probability |
Joey Essex | 13/8 | 38.1% |
Shakira Khan | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Ellie Taylor | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Ranvir Singh | 5/2 | 28.6% |
JB Gill | 3/1 | 25% |
Danny Aarons | 4/1 | 20% |
John Bercow | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Sara Davies | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Jenny Ryan | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Graeme Souness | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Aarons is 3/1 to deliver a knockout blow and triumph in the brand-new show, just in front of JLS band member JB Gill.
The singer and TV presenter knows a lot about reaching the latter stages of a TV competition, after JLS were runners-up to superstar singer Alexandra Burke on The X Factor in 2008.
JB is 7/2 to go one better and taste TV victory on The Box.
Early Return To Essex?
Joey Essex knows all about appearing on TV shows, after shooting to fame on TOWIE in 2011.
Since then, he has appeared on several reality TV shows, including I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Splash!, The Jump, Celebs Go Dating and Dancing On Ice.
If that wasn't enough, he became the first celebrity to take part in the civilian version of Love Island in 2024.
Afterwards, he vowed to quit reality TV - but he will be back on the box again next year. However, could this be a short stint?
Joey is the 8/1 outsider to win the contest and 13/8 favourite to lose the first Duel of the competition and be sent home.
Fellow Love Island star Shakira Khan, who was a finalist in the 2025 civilian series of the ITV2 dating show, is 15/8 to lose The Box's first-ever Duel.
Ted Lasso actress Ellie Taylor and Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh complete the line-up.
Ellie is 2/1 to go home first followed by 5/2 chance Ranvir.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Who do you think will win the first series of The Box? Let us know in the comments box below.
