WISDOM OF THE CROWD: JOHN BISHOP TO HOST NEW BBC SATURDAY NIGHT GAMESHOW, APPLICATIONS OPEN

Wisdom of the Crowd, an exciting new quiz-based entertainment show from the makers of The 1% Club, is coming to iPlayer and BBC One. Hosted by comedy superstar John Bishop, in his big return to Saturday nights on the BBC, the show will see bold contestants having to take on the collective knowledge of the crowd.

The producers, Magnum Productions, got the inspiration for the show when they heard about Francis Galton’s scientific discovery from over a century ago when he witnessed a competition to win an ox by guessing its weight.

More than 800 people had entered and the scientist looked at all the guesses and what he saw blew his mind: the average guess of everyone put together was so accurate that it was even better than the best individual guess.

He called his discovery Wisdom of the Crowd and the theory transformed the worlds of politics, economics and philosophy. But now this science is about to be put to its most important use yet… in a big-money Saturday night game show on BBC One and iPlayer.

In each show individual contestants take on the might of the Crowd. Who will win the cash prize? The science says the Crowd should win and share the money between them, but will any of our contestants manage to take all the money for themselves by beating Wisdom Of The Crowd?

John Bishop says: "I'm delighted to be back on the BBC on Saturday nights to host Wisdom of the Crowd. This big new entertainment format gives an interesting take on group dynamics - not only testing what the individual contestants know, but also testing what the crowd knows (or what they think they know!) I can’t wait for audiences to see it."

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC says: “We’re delighted that John Bishop is back on the BBC; his quick wit and natural charm make him the perfect host for this fascinating new entertainment quiz show. Wisdom of the Crowd is the perfect game for viewers to play along with at home, and if you like The 1% Club, then you’re in for a treat!”

Click here to apply

Wisdom of the Crowd 8x60' will film in MediaCity, Salford. Transmission details will be announced in due course.