Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Christmas special 2020 - start date, celebrity contestants and everything you need to know

TV tonight Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
(Image credit: Stellify Media)

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire returns for Christmas with some very special guests...

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire will see some very famous faces from the world of television join the lineup for a Christmas special this festive season.

We're used to seeing people trying to answer their way to the million pound jackpot... but how will celebrities fare in the hot seat?

And who will manage to win some much-needed cash for their chosen charity?

Which celebrities will be taking part?

The first episode of the festive episodes will see Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan and Diversity star Jordan Banjo trying to answer their way to a million pounds for a good cause.

The second instalment of the Christmas episodes will air the following evening, and this time we will see Kym Marsh, Prue Leith and Ronni Ancona trying their luck in the hot seat.

Kym is better known to soap fans as former Coronation Street favourite Michelle Connor and she also presents Morning Live on BBC1 with Gethin Jones.

Pure is, of course, a much-loved judge on The Great British Bake Off, and actress Ronni is best known for her incredible celebrity impersonations.

When does Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Christmas special start?

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Christmas celebrity special

Coronation Street's Kym Marsh and The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith are just some of the celebrities appearing in the Christmas special (Picture: ITV)

The first festive episode is due to air on Boxing Day at 9.30pm, and the second episode will be shown the following day, December 27th, at 9.15pm on ITV.

You'll be able to catch up on any episodes you might miss on the ITV Hub.

More: Christmas TV Guide - the best shows to watch and when they're on 

Will anyone win a million pounds in the Christmas Special?

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Christmas celebrity special

Will Piers Morgan manage to raise a million pounds for his chosen charity? (Picture: ITV)

Whether any of the five celebrities manage to make to the million pound jackpot is being kept well under wraps until the show is aired.

But host Jeremy has promised there will be all the usual Who Wants To Be A Millionaire tension that we know and love.

He said: "We have a great line-up of celebrities for these two special episodes. Even I had heard of most of them.

"There was Prue Leith who was so warm and wonderful and great fun, and Piers Morgan, who was... also on the show.

"Without giving too much away, there was some skilful game playing, some wild stabs in the dark and some moments of toe-curling embarrassment.

"So why not grab a mince pie, put your feet up and tune in!"

What else do we know about the Christmas special? 

Just like in the main show, the contestants will be answering 15 questions, and they will also have four lifelines available to help them on their way.

Unfortunately there won't be a live audience due to current filming restrictions, so instead of the usual ask the audience lifeline, the celebrities will each have two phone a friend options instead.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Celebrity Specials air on Boxing Day ay 9.30pm and on December 27th at 9.15pm on ITV. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.