Celebrity Quizzing is a Must-Play for Wordle Fans

Wordle Fans, Meet Your Next Obsession: Celebrity Puzzling on 5

In the landscape of British television, quiz shows have always occupied a special niche, and Channel 5’s latest addition, Celebrity Puzzling, is setting out to capture the hearts—and competitive spirits—of viewers who crave a test of wit and wordplay. Premiering on June 23 at 7pm, and airing every weeknight, this new series is hosted by the ever-amiable Jeremy Vine and pits celebrity contestants against one another in a head-to-head battle of logic, deduction, and rapid recall.

What Makes Celebrity Puzzling Different?

Far from a simple rehash of classic formats, Celebrity Puzzling leans fully into the rise of daily word game culture popularized by hits like Wordle, making it a natural fit for the new breed of puzzle enthusiast. As the host, Jeremy Vine, describes it, the show promises “an hour of the most relentless puzzling television ever”—a bold claim, but not without merit.

Each episode features a lineup of celebrity contestants, with household names like former Countdown virtuoso Carol Vorderman and renowned actress Sally Lindsay returning as regular team captains. Their teams, which rotate nightly, include famous faces such as Strictly Come Dancing’s Ore Oduba and choirmaster Gareth Malone, bringing fresh energy and rivalry to every episode. According to the series synopsis, it’s “a high-stakes battle of logic and wordplay,” where even Jeremy Vine tries his hand at impressing the guests—with comedic results.

Format and Gameplay: The Puzzle is the Star

Much like the established favorite, Richard Osman’s House of Games, the rounds in Celebrity Puzzling are cleverly named—think “In Other Words,” “Thirdle,” and “Cinema Cypher”—and each brings its own playful twist on lateral thinking and language skills. The rounds start off tantalizingly simple, with teams guessing words from initials and synonyms, but grow progressively more challenging, finishing with a fast-paced memory round that keeps both participants and viewers on their toes.

Unlike some quiz shows with static weekly casts, Celebrity Puzzling keeps things dynamic with a fresh slate of celebrities each night, ensuring that the energy and chemistry remain unpredictable. The lighthearted banter between Vine and the team captains, punctuated by cheerful competition, creates the right balance of tension and fun, and the accessible-but-tricky questions are tuned perfectly for prime time audiences. As seen on Jeremy Vine’s Instagram, the camaraderie off-camera matches the jovial mood on set—he shared, “Have just had a magical week doing a new Channel 5 quiz, #CelebrityPuzzling❗ And made loads of new friends…” giving a glimpse into the warm atmosphere that translates to screen.

A Challenge to the Quiz Show Throne

It’s difficult not to see Celebrity Puzzling as a deliberate challenger to House of Games’ dominance, especially with its spot premiering when the long-running BBC two quiz show is off-air. The similarities are plain: randomly generated rounds, fast-paced finales, and a rotating panel of celebrities. However, Vorderman’s quick wit and Gareth Malone’s musical flair offer a fresh dimension.

Channel 5, having recently rebranded and moved away from its once-maligned identity, is signaling major ambitions with this clever quiz hybrid. The channel is successfully bridging the gap between its daytime staples and its slew of docudramas and nostalgia programming. Whether Celebrity Puzzling can become as beloved as House of Games remains to be seen, but its buzzworthy launch and promising cast have already sparked plenty of conversation, both in living rooms and online.

Where to Watch and Join the Conversation

If you’re seeking more puzzling action after your daily Wordle fix, tune in to Celebrity Puzzling on 5 at 7pm every weeknight. You can find behind-the-scenes content and updates on Jeremy Vine’s Instagram and catch media coverage at publications like RadioTimes, which offers further details about the show’s debut and format. For more about the career of Jeremy Vine and his love of quizzes, dive into his Radio Times interview.

Final Thoughts

Celebrity Puzzling is off to a confident—with loads of wit and charm, a dash of nostalgia for TV quiz traditions, and puzzles sharp enough to test even the most devoted word game fans. Whether you’re in it for the challenge or the celebrity banter, it’s the perfect way to fill the early evening quiz gap. Don’t miss the next round; Celebrity Puzzling continues tonight on 5.