ITV announces second series of Lingo

Following the breakout success of the first series, ITV can announce it has commissioned a second run of hit game show, Lingo.

Host Adil Ray OBE will return to preside over 60 x 60’ episodes of the fast-paced word play game, which is produced by Objective Media Group Entertainment and has proved hugely popular with viewers since it debuted in January.

In its first full week on air, Lingo averaged 1.9 million viewers and a 20.8% share, making it the best launch of a game show in the 3pm time slot since 2002.

Lingo sees three teams of two contestants compete against each other to fill in the blanks and find words. Over a series of rounds the prize money gets bigger, but so does the risk - fail to find the right word and your opponent gets the chance to jump in and take the money. In the nail-biting End Game, the last pair standing can double their prize fund, but if they can’t find the words, they could go home with nothing.

Actor, comedian and TV presenter Adil said of the news of a second series: "It has been a r_ _ l pleasure to b_ _ _ g so much joy, shouting at the t_ _ _y and h_ _ eschooling, to so many millions. Thank you to everyone for watching and to all the L_ _ _o crew for being brilliant."

OMG Entertainment’s Ben Shephard and Ed de Burgh added: “We’re over the moon that viewers are enjoying the show, there’s a lot of Lingo love out there! We can’t wait to start making more. The question is do you know your Lingo?!”

ITV Commissioning Editor, Lara Akeju said: "I'm delighted to be bringing viewers more opportunities to play along with this hugely compelling show.”

Lingo is already a successful format globally, having notched up more than 500 episodes in the US and airing for almost three decades in France and the Netherlands.

Lingo was re-commissioned by ITV Head of Entertainment Katie Rawcliffe and ITV Commissioning Editor Lara Akeju. Lingo is an IDTV (All3Media) and Talpa TV format, distributed by All3Media International. The series is produced by OMG Entertainment out of Objective Media Group North’s Manchester base, for ITV. The Executive producers are Andrew Cartmell, Ed de Burgh and Ben Shephard for OMG Entertainment and Pam Cavannagh for OMG North. Objective Media Group is an All3Media Company.

Casting is under way for the second series. For anyone who would like more information or to apply please go to www.itv.com/beontv