Published: 04:30 pm, 12 November 2025
Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, Rob Unsworth, has announced two brand new commissions for 2026 at the Belfast Media Festival, as well as the recommission of the fourth series of hit quiz The Finish Line with Roman Kemp and Sarah Greene which will also get a week of Christmas celebrity specials.
Roman Kemp comments: “I’m so happy that The Finish Line is coming back to Northern Ireland to film for a fourth series and that we get to gift audiences with a Christmas special to get everyone in the festive spirit. The contestants are, as ever, a highlight. Watch out for some more bonkers answers in a race to get over the line, and the celebrity guests for Christmas are going to be a real treat!”
Speaking on the Meet the BBC Commissioners panel, Rob announced BBC Daytime has co-commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland, two new series as part of the Hot House initiative, with support from Northern Ireland Screen, one of which is Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic, produced by Alleycats TV. The second programme will be announced at a later date.
Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic is an Irish travelogue will take audiences on an epic journey to a place that he loves: the Wild Atlantic Coast of Ireland, one of the most magical, beautiful and healing places on earth. Audiences will get an insight to Ronan’s childhood and family life as he visits Cork, Kerry, Mayo/Sligo, Donegal and Derry.
Ronan comments: “It’s felt really special making this series, rediscovering magical places that have meant so much to me and my family. I was 16 when I left Ireland, and there was so much of the west coast I hadn’t seen. Now, I’m coming home, and I can’t wait for viewers to share all the laughter and tears along the way.”
Rob also announced the commission of brand-new quiz show Do You Know Your Place, presented by Vernon Kay accompanied by The Traitors star Paul Gorton.
Do You Know Your Place? is a brand new 20×30’ celebrity quiz show presented by Vernon Kay and made by Stellify Media based in Northern Ireland. Each episode Vernon will put his three celebrity guest’s knowledge of the UK to the test, with the help or hindrance from The Traitors alumni Paul Gorton as he acts as Vernon’s ‘unreliable’ tour guide.
Paul will be out and about, in a different town or city each episode, setting questions to the celebs back in studio – their job… to decipher fact from fiction. They will also play games with Vernon in studio and the celeb with the most correct answers wins, with an overall winner being crowned at the end of the week.
Vernon Comments: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be fronting Do You Know Your Place? — it’s a cracking new quiz that’s all about the people and places we know best. It’s got great banter, brilliant guests, and that classic British competitive streak. I can’t wait for everyone to see it on BBC Two.”
BBC Head of Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, Rob Unsworth comments, “We’re thrilled to be announcing such exciting new commissions from Northern Ireland, joining the wide range of shows already made there for Daytime and Early Peak. Expect lots of fun as The Festive Finish Line adds an irresistible seasonal sparkle to one of our most-watched quizzes. And we can’t wait to share a brand new quiz, Do You Know Your Place? – in which Vernon Kay will see if famous faces can unpick which of the facts Paul from The Traitors tells them about our towns and cities are actually true.
“Finally, for an unforgettable, stunning treat, join us for Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic, as the much-loved singer takes us on a deeply personal journey along the west coast of Ireland. This was one of two ideas commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland from their recent Hot House scheme, and we’ll announce the second in due course.”
Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning , BBC NI, says: “We’re excited to be working with BBC Daytime again on this latest Hot House co-commission, with support from our friends at Northern Ireland Screen. Ronan is such a natural on screen and we think audiences will love joining him as he returns home to take them on a personal journey along the Wild Atlantic Coast.”
All transmission details will be announced at a later date.
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