Ross Kemp is heading back to BBC One to host a new series of hit quiz show Bridge of Lies – and this time, he’s taking on Saturday nights.

The series – which became the BBC’s best-performing new daytime quiz show of the previous 12 months when it first aired in March 2022 – will see this celebrity special on from 6.05pm from Saturday 14 January, with teams of celebrity contestants competing for the first time. 

Much-loved actor and presenter Kemp, fondly remembered for his role as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders as well as presenting a number of critically-acclaimed documentaries, will preside over the celebrities as they try to win money for charity by crossing the bridge, careful to step on the truths and avoid the lies, or risk falling off and out of the game.

The contestants in each star-studded team all have something in common. In episode one, the team is made up entirely of soap actors, with stars of EastEnders (John Partridge), Coronation Street (Faye Brookes), Emmerdale (Natalie Anderson) and Hollyoaks (Richard Blackwood) putting their usual rivalry aside to take on the bridge together. 

Episode 4 is a comedians special with Susan Calman, Jon Culshaw, Shazia Mirza and John Thomson 

Along with eight episodes of Celebrity Bridge of Lies, series two of Bridge of Lies will return to BBC One Daytime on Monday 23 January, with members of the public once again taking on the bridge in the hope of bringing home some cash.

Filmed at BBC Studioworks in Glasgow, Celebrity Bridge of Lies was ordered by Kate Phillips, Commissioning Director for the BBC, while Bridge of Lies was recommissioned by Lindsay Bradbury, Acting Head of Daytime & Early Peak. The Commissioning Editors are Alex McLeod and Neil McCallum. Both series are produced by STV Studios, with Gary Chippington, STV Studios’ Creative Director of Entertainment, continuing to serve as Executive Producer.

Celebrity Bridge of Lies begins on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 14 January at 6.05pm and continues weekly.

Bridge of Lies begins on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 23 January and continues each weekday.

Full List of Cebrity Guests

Episode 1 – Soap actors

• Natalie Anderson (Emmerdale / Hollyoaks) 

• Richard Blackwood (EastEnders / Hollyoaks) 

• Faye Brookes (Coronation Street) 

• John Partridge (EastEnders) 

Episode 2 – Pop band members

• Amelle Berrabah (Sugababes) 

• Kéllé Bryan (Eternal) 

• Claire Richards (Steps) 

• Kimberly Wyatt (The Pussycat Dolls) 

Episode 3 – Stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK

• Lawrence Chaney 

• Tia Kofi 

• Kitty Scott-Claus  

• The Vivienne 

Episode 4 – Comedians 

• Susan Calman 

• Jon Culshaw 

• Shazia Mirza 

• John Thomson 

Episode 5 – Sporting legends

• David James 

• Ugo Monye  

• Judy Murray  

• Pat Nevin 

Episode 6 – Strictly Come Dancing alumni

• Debbie McGee  

• Katie McGlynn 

• Rhys Stephenson 

• John Whaite  

Episode 7 – TV presenters

• Stephen Bailey  

• Gareth Malone  

• Mwaka Mudenda 

• Ore Oduba  

Episode 8 – Radio broadcasters

• Tony Blackburn  

• YolanDa Brown  

• Lauren Layfield  

• Katie Thistleton

Picture: BBC/STV Studios/Graeme Hunter