The Circle – C4

Emma Willis The Circle
(Image credit: Studio Lambert)

C4’s hit social-media game show The Circle returns for a second series, bigger and bolder, and with Emma Willis at the helm

C4’s reality game show The Circle  is back for a longer second series, with a brand-new host.

The Voice UK presenter Emma Willis (pictured above) takes over from series one presenters Alice Levine and Maya Jama on the show that sees contestants holed up in separate flats in a London apartment block, where their only means of communication is via a specially designed social network.

This live launch kicks things off and Emma will also host weekly live catch-ups featuring a panel.

Viewers can expect a more interactive experience this time, too, with a new app that can influence all the goings-on inside The Circle.

Will contestants play the game as themselves, or take on a whole new identity to win the £100,000 cash prize?

Continues nightly.

Emma Willis The Circle

Emma proves that things may not always be as they first seem on C4’s The Circle

We caught up with Emma, 43, to learn more…

The first series of The Circle was so addictive! Did you watch it?

I didn’t watch when it aired, no, because it was Big Brother’s rival at the time, but everyone was talking about it.

I watched it afterwards and binged it.

I loved it!

Apart from a new host, what else can we expect to see from the new series?

It has an extended run.

There's a live launch and live final.

I’ll also be presenting a live show every Friday with a panel, and the audience can get involved with interactive elements that will impact on the players’ chances.

How do you think you’d fare if you took part in The Circle?

I’m too paranoid!

I would not trust anyone.

I’d also be me, 100 per cent.

If I didn’t win, I’d be like, ‘I need to change myself as a human!’

TV Times rating: ****

Senior Writer for TV Times, TV & Satellite Week, What's On TV and whattowatch.com

Rebecca has more than 20 years' experience in journalism and is now writing about all things telly-related for TV Times, TV&Satellite Week, What’s On TV and whattowatch.com.


She’s interviewed all sorts of big-name stars, including Al Pacino, Ewan McGregor, Tom Hardy, Winona Ryder, Benedict Cumberbatch and more. She’s also been known to step in front of the camera, dressing up as a 1920s flapper to star in ITV’s Mr Selfridge and co-hosting ITV News at Ten with Mark Austin – all in the line of duty! 


When she’s not quizzing actors, directors and producers, you’ll find her bingeing US dramas and anything horror/sci-fi/zombie-themed. But her greatest love will always be Game of Thrones… just don’t mention the ending!