Joey Essex was on hand to help a contestant win some serious cash on BBC’s gameshow The Wheel but things soon took an awkward turn
Joe Crutchley Screen Time Reporter
21:03, 15 Nov 2025
The Wheel fans were left cringing following Joey Essex’s appearance on the BBC gameshow.
The beloved series returned to screens on Saturday evening (November 15) – with Michael McIntyre back at the helm.
On the show, celebrity experts Stacey Dooley, Maisie Adam, Oti Mabuse, Asim Chaudhry, Ricky Wilson, Omid Djalili and Joey Essex were on hand to help the contestants try and win some serious cash.
Up first, was player John who was hoping to win some money to put towards a house with his husband. As for his first question, John was tasked to answer a subject about indie music in which reality star Joey had to help him.
Joey appeared on BBC’s The Wheel
Just minutes into the game though, a baffled Joey, unsure of how the game worked, said: “What does this mean!?” as his co-stars laughed along. A floored Michael said: “It doesn’t bode well that Joey says ‘what does this mean?’”
Joey and John were then asked: “Which of these words do not feature in the lyrics to the Killers’ indie anthem Mr Brightside.” The answers were Alibis, Destiny, Control and Escape.
However, it was the way Joey pronounced Alibis that got plenty of people talking as he asked: “What does Alibis mean?” A stunned Michael looked on while the audience laughed.
He mispronounced alibis
Meanwhile viewers watching at home were left livid by Joey’s blunder with one person writing on X: “Alibis, he’s taking the p***.” Someone else added: “The education of some people in this country is appalling.”
A third chimed in: “Joey Essex trying to pronounce the word “Alibis” is the funniest thing I’ve heard this year.” Another then penned: “Why do they still have Joey Essex on TV? Just irritating. What’s funny about being famous for pretending to be stupid?”
Even host Michael was stunned
Despite his pronunciation blunder, Joey and John chose the correct answer which was escape. However, John was booted out in the next round after he and Oti Mabuse failed to get the answer right.
Meanwhile later on, and back playing the game, John was asked a question about dentistry – which was Joey’s chosen topic. The question was ‘According to 2024 YouGov survey, what percentage of Britain adults brush their teeth twice a day?” The answers were 22%, 45%, 68% and 89%.
With the help of Oti, John chose 68% which was the correct answer. But when Michael checked in on Joey to see if he got it right, Joey didn’t as he said he put 45%.
The Wheel airs every Saturday at 8pm on BBC One.
