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02/02/2026
Season 2026, Episode 1
Les Dennis, Rachel Riley and Susie Dent host, with Dr Ranj Singh in Dictionary Corner, as contestants race against the clock to pit their wits against words and numbers
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subtitles
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Game Show/Quiz/Contest
Show/Game Show
Cast & Crew
Les Dennis
(Host)
Rachel Riley
(Co host)
Susie Dent
(Contributor)
Dr Ranj Singh
(Guest)
Damian Eadie
(Series producer)
More Information
Did You Know..
Les Dennis
(Host)
Born:
October 12, 1954
in
Liverpool
Best Known For:
Hosting Family Fortunes.
Early-life:
Born Leslie Dennis Heseltine on October 12, 1954, in Liverpool, one of four children of a taxi driver, also called Les, and his wife Winnie. He also has a half-brother from his father's first marriage. Les claims to have had a difficult relationship with his dad, who at first disapproved of his son's foray into showbusiness, and found it difficult to watch him being criticised during club performances at the start of his career. However, the pair grew close following the death of his mother from cancer in 1977.
Career:
Dennis made his TV debut in Russ Abbot's Madhouse during the early 1980s; his comedy partner Dustin Gee died in 1986. Their impersonations of Coronation Street characters made them famous, but Dennis's future seemed uncertain as he started out alone. However, in 1987 he took over from Max Bygraves as host of Family Fortunes, and presented the game show for the next 15 years. Dennis has also done straight acting, appearing in Brookside, Intimate Relations, Crossroads, Casualty, Extras and The Bill. He also famously took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2002. He joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2014.
Quote:
"Big Brother was cathartic for me in that it gave me a chance to think about things and decide what I wanted to do with my life."
Trivia:
In 2013, Dennis was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef and finished runner-up to Ade Edmondson.
Rachel Riley
(Co host)
Born:
January 11, 1986
in
Rochford, Essex
Best Known For:
Countdown.
Early-life:
Rachel Annabelle Riley was born in Rochford, Essex, on January 11, 1986. She studied mathematics at Oriel College, Oxford.
Career:
Riley's big break came in 2008 when she was chosen from more than 1,000 applicants to replace Carol Vorderman on Countdown. She presented her first show alongside Jeff Stelling in January 2009, and reached her 1,000th episode in June 2013. Away from the numbers and letters on Countdown, she began co-hosting The Gadget Show alongside Jason Bradbury in June 2013. She was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 and was the fifth celebrity to be eliminated.
Quote:
"I don't want girls to aspire to being famous for the sake of being famous. If I was only known for wearing a dress, that wouldn't have any value for me."
Trivia:
Riley won £36,000 for charity on a celebrity edition of The Bank Job. She supports Manchester United.
Susie Dent
(Contributor)
Dr Ranj Singh
(Guest)
Damian Eadie
(Series producer)
Born:
August 15, 1969
in
Blackpool
