Is Bradley Walsh’s new TV show really a hoax?

There’s a new TV mystery and Bradley Walsh is at the centre of it…(Picture:ITV/Channel 4) Who shot J.R.? Who killed Laura Palmer? Were they really in Purgatory the whole time? These are some of the biggest mysteries in TV history, but as of this week, we can add a new small-screen headscratcher to the list. Is Bradley Walsh’s new quiz show real or a big Halloween hoax? Now, on paper, that might seem like the type of question you see scrawled on the wall of a public toilet, but before you call the funny farm on me, allow me to explain. This Sunday at 9 pm, The Million Pound Shot, a new quiz show, will air on Channel 4, hosted by Bradley, but there’s something slightly off about this show. Channel 4 is being suspiciously cagey about the series in a way that’s unusual, not even sharing the trailer online. That’s got a lot of TV viewers’ spider-sense tingling, with some suggesting it’s a front for a Derren Brown show or an Inside No. 9-style horror special. We’re Chase-ing the truth behind Bradley’s new show (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) We even found one user who wondered if the word ‘Shot’ in the title meantChannel 4 was going to have contestants shoot each other (we know Channel 4 can be wild, but let’s be serious). So with that in mind, here’s everything we know about the show and why people think The Million Pound Shot might be a hoax. What is Bradley Walsh’s new game show? There’s not a lot of official information to go off, but the Freeview TV Guide (the go-to source for all TV show synopses)claims The Million Pound Shot is a new quiz show that sees contestants compete for a £1million prize. Apparently, though, we can expect ‘one huge secret twist’ in a night that promises to be full of drama, tension and life-changing outcomes.’The big question the show wants to answer? Would you take the shot? We also know that there will be three contestants stepping up to play the game in front of a live studio audience. We’re very suspicious, Bradley… (Picture: ITV) Why do people think it’s a hoax? There are a couple of things about The Million Pound Shot that have made people suspicious. The first is the marketing for the show. Channel 4 is promising a major twist of some kind, as well as plenty of drama. That’s not exactly the type of description you expect from a quiz show. What are you up to? (Picture: Channel 4) Curiously, our friends over at Channel 4 HQ aren’t answering our emails when we ask them what’s going on, which is also a bit of a red flag. What’s more, there’s the scheduling to consider. The quiz is going to be airing suspiciously late on Sunday. 9 pm is not a normal slot for a family-friendly quiz, and then there’s the fact it’s going out the day after Halloween… is this a slightly delayed spooky trick? Based on the title ‘Million Pound Shot’, betting that this will reveal halfway through that one of the quiz contestants has to shoot the loser to win the cash prize, classic Channel 4 psychological experiment stuff. Not exactly Ghostwatch, but I’ll take it https://t.co/dJqnYnQPNV— Alistair's Great Tweets (@YesitsAlistair) October 27, 2026 Finally, there’s the people working on the show and the company behind it. TV Guide lists the director as Max Shapira, and a quick look at his publicly available CV shows that he’s worked on an ‘Under NDA show’ (Also suspicious) for Channel 4. Now we don’t know if this series isThe Million Pound Shot, but if it is, then it’s been produced by KEO Films, who are better known for documentaries and social experiments than quiz shows. Max’s CV also lists the show’s commissioner as Tim Hancock, who’s helped make shows like The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson, Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat, and Open House: The Great Sex Experiment. Why has Tim decided to get involved with quiz shows after a career focused on documentaries? It’s all a bit fishy, right? What have Channel 4 said? Channel 4 has been very quiet about things up to now. As far as we can see, there’s no official website for The Million Pound Shot, which is unusual but not unheard of. More interestingly, Channel 4 has made a trailer for the show, but they haven’t released it online, only on live TV. Thankfully, comedian Mark Grimshaw managed to record the ad when it was shown. The trailer hasn’t been shared online (Picture: Channel 4) During the footage, Bradley can be heard saying: ‘We’re here rehearsing ahead of a huge quiz event for Channel 4 with £1 million on the line. ‘Contestants are going to take the gamble of their lives, and there’s a massive twist unlike anything seen on television before. Which is? Well, you’ll have to join me to find out.’ What’s curious about the trailer is how naff it looks. There’s no footage of the quiz itself. Just Bradley stood on the set… almost like they’ve got something to hide. Deals of the Day The wellbeing brand behind everyone's favourite candles has launched its biggest sale yet See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine Families can save up to 20% on summer 2027 holidays in Club Med's four-day sale The Million Pound Shot begins on Channel 4 this Sunday at 9 pm. Arrow MORE: Taskmaster fans have major complaint that’s ‘sucked the fun’ out of series Arrow MORE: Morgana Robinson had secret codeword for her safety while filming ‘dangerous’ Ali G sequel Arrow MORE: Gogglebox fans defend Andy Burnham from critics: ‘He’s raising money for cancer charities’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.