The BBC has announced a significant refresh of its daytime television schedule for 2026, commissioning two major new series fronted by veteran presenter Vernon Kay and Boyzone star Ronan Keating.¹ The move, announced by Rob Unsworth, BBC's Head of Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, at the Belfast Media Festival, reinforces the corporation's commitment to producing shows outside of London, with both programmes being co-commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland (Game Show Newsnet).²

Vernon Kay’s New Quiz Challenge: Do You Know Your Place? 🧠

Vernon Kay, the BBC Radio 2 host, confirmed he is "absolutely thrilled" to be leading a brand new, 20-part celebrity quiz show titled Do You Know Your Place? set to air on BBC Two (The Mirror).³ The announcement comes just as Kay gears up for his return to television as one of the hosts for the annual Children In Need appeal (OK!⁴ Magazine).

The new programme, produced by Stellify Media based in Northern Ireland, is designed to test the knowledge of three celebrity contestants on their understanding of the United Kingdom.⁵

• The Format: Each episode will feature celebrity guests distinguishing between fact and fiction regarding British towns and cities.⁶

• The Co-Host: Adding an unpredictable element to the show is Paul Gorton, an alumnus from the first series of the BBC reality hit The Traitors.⁷ Gorton will serve as Kay’s "unreliable" tour guide, travelling to different UK locations to pose questions to the celebrities in the studio, purposefully mixing genuine facts with mischievous falsehoods (Manchester Evening News). Gorton’s experience as a "Traitor" is expected to bring a layer of competitive deception to the format.⁸

• The Competition: Celebrities will also engage in studio-based games with Kay, with the contestant achieving the highest number of correct responses winning the episode, and an overall champion being crowned at the end of the week.⁹

Kay expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: "It's a cracking new quiz that's all about the people and places we know best.¹⁰ It's got great banter, brilliant guests, and that classic British competitive streak.¹¹ I can't wait for everyone to see it on BBC Two" (Wales Online).

Ronan Keating’s Personal Homecoming: Wild Atlantic 🇮🇪

The broadcaster also commissioned a second fresh BBC Daytime series with BBC Northern Ireland, a travelogue titled Ronan Keating's Wild Atlantic.¹² The show follows the Boyzone singer as he journeys along Ireland’s picturesque Wild Atlantic Coast, which the BBC describes as "one of the most magical, beautiful and healing places on earth" (Extra.ie).¹³

The series is described as an "epic, healing journey" that blends personal reflection with scenic splendour (ATV Today).¹⁴ Keating will revisit the landscapes of his youth, taking viewers through iconic locations such as Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, and Derry (EVOKE).¹⁵

Keating, who previously served as a judge on The Voice Australia, spoke emotionally about the project: "It's felt really special making this series, rediscovering magical places that have meant so much to me and my family."¹⁶ He reflected on his early life, adding: "I was 16 when I left Ireland, and there was so much of the west coast I hadn't seen.¹⁷ Now, I'm coming home, and I can't wait for viewers to share all the laughter and tears along the way" (OK! Magazine).

Broader BBC Strategy 📈

These two new commissions highlight the BBC’s ongoing strategy to diversify its production hubs outside of London, with Northern Ireland becoming a key region for new formats. Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime, noted that the new commissions reflect the BBC Daytime's ambition to celebrate "fun, familiarity and storytelling with a regional heartbeat," ensuring that programming across the UK is represented (ATV Today).¹⁸ The announcements follow news of a major schedule shake-up at rival ITV for 2026, which will see popular shows Loose Women and Lorraine cut to a seasonal schedule (ITV Press Centre).¹⁹

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Would you like to know more about the career trajectory of Paul Gorton from The Traitors or how the BBC is expanding its production across the UK's regions?