“Jeremy Clarkson Bounces Back With Bold New Game Show Amid Farming Setbacks”

After facing his “worst farming year ever,” Jeremy Clarkson returns to prime-time TV with a fast-paced Millionaire spin-off set to shake up quiz nights in 2026.

Jeremy Clarkson is stepping back into the spotlight — and this time, it’s not with muddy boots or crop troubles.
The Clarkson’s Farm and former Top Gear star, 65, is set to host Millionaire Hot Seat, a brand-new “cheeky” spin-off of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, even as his Diddly Squat Farm battles one of its toughest years yet.

Clarkson recently revealed that 2025 has been his “worst year ever” on the 1,000-acre Oxfordshire property, citing relentless droughts and heatwaves that have severely affected productivity. Adding to his frustrations, his nearby pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has been struggling to turn a profit since its grand opening last summer.

But instead of backing down, Clarkson is charging ahead — this time to the TV screen.

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Millionaire Hot Seat: A Cheekier, Faster Challenge

Set to air in 2026, Millionaire Hot Seat will feature 18 episodes packed with high-stakes drama and rapid-fire questions. ITV calls it Millionaire’s “cheeky younger sibling” — a faster, more competitive format where six contestants compete head-to-head, all racing against the clock.

Unlike the traditional version, players queue for the Hot Seat and face off one at a time. Correct answers let them climb the Money Ladder, but a wrong response knocks them out entirely. Passing a question sends them to the back of the line, and the next contestant must answer that same question correctly — or face elimination themselves.

In a high-stakes twist, only the top remaining prize on the ladder can be claimed — and only if the player currently in the Hot Seat nails it.

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Clarkson Back in His Element

With Millionaire Hot Seat already a hit in Australia — boasting over 2,500 episodes — ITV is banking on its UK version being a success. Alongside the spin-off, the network has also commissioned 19 more episodes of the original Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, including seven celebrity specials.

“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has reached 18 million viewers on ITV this year alone,” said ITV’s Head of Entertainment Katie Rawcliffe. “Commissioning a new spin-off format to build on that success was a no-brainer.”

Matthew Worthy, co-CEO of Stellify Media, added:

“Millionaire Hot Seat gives us more Jeremy, more tension, and a whole new feel — it’s the perfect evolution for the franchise.”

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From Wilted Crops to the Hot Seat
While Clarkson’s farming troubles continue to sow uncertainty, his return to TV offers both fans and ITV a promising new chapter. Whether wrangling tractors or trivia, Clarkson knows how to keep an audience on the edge of their seats.

Millionaire Hot Seat begins filming in November 2025 and will air on ITV in 2026.