1. How excited are you to be back on people’s screens for another series?
The new series is starting at the perfect time; clocks have gone back, leaves have fallen, nights are cold – we’re all ready now for another hilarious and heartwarming spin of the Wheel.
2. This is one of those shows that everyone seems to love, why do you think it’s such a crowd pleaser?
I think The Wheel’s strength is that every show is so different because the format creates so many possible outcomes with new contestants, categories, celebs, and questions. It’s also surprisingly dramatic for a show that always starts out fun. One of our celebrity experts described their time on the show this series as starting out as a laugh before turning into The Hunger Games! There aren’t many shows that can pull off that kind of transformation.
3. What’s one category from Series 7 you think you’d ace on The Wheel that people might not expect?
I would say eighties pop or power ballads. I revise those categories in the car every day of my life.
4. And what's one category you’d dread landing on this series?
Pretty much everything else! My general knowledge is appalling, which actually makes me a better host. I’m discovering the answers in real time alongside the contestants because, more often than not, I haven’t got a clue either!
5. You’ve got some fantastic celebrity experts lined up for us but, looking back at the last seven series, who have been some of your favourite experts thus far?
I have a list of ‘Wheel Legends’ who always deliver. Mentioning just a few; Chris McCausland, Joe Marler, AJ Odudu, Josh Widdicombe, Judi Love, Gyles Brandreth, Big Narstie, Jonathan Ross, Ellie Simmonds…
6. There’s an array of celebs appearing in this series, from presenters and actors to sports stars; have you found any to be particularly competitive?
Gladiato’s Matt Morsia was hilariously confident and very entertaining.
7. What do you think makes an excellent expert? Is it better to be strong and wrong or to leave it in the capable hands of the contestants?
Whenever a contestant or expert doesn’t know the answer they immediately say, “What does your gut tell you?”. I don’t think there is any scientific evidence to suggest guts know more than brains, but everyone seems to rely more on them.
8. It can be very emotional when people win The Wheel, how does it feel to watch people succeed on the show?
It’s an enormous privilege to be able to make people so happy when they win the show. I think the show has a perfect blend of skill and luck which means that truly all contestants have a chance – and this series there are some amazing winners for whom the stars (both metaphorically and literally) aligned.
Picture of Harriet Kemsley. Credit: BBC/Hungry McBear
interview supplied by publicists
