Tempting Fortune: Paddy McGuinness quits as host of Channel 4 game show as star says he's made 'some difficult choices'
Paddy McGuinness has revealed that he will not be returning to present the Channel 4 game show Tempting Fortune.
The former Take Me Out host has fronted the reality competition show since 2023. However, he has confirmed that he will not be returning to the show for its third installment.
Paddy said: “I am happy to be passing the baton on and the new host is in for a real treat because it's a great show. I will be sad to leave it, but with other commitments and enjoying more family time, I've had to make some difficult choices.”
A spokesperson for Channel 4 confirmed the news, saying in a statement: “Paddy has been a brilliant host of Tempting Fortune, bringing his trademark humour to both series."We're grateful for everything he's brought to the show, and we totally understand that the filming commitment overseas is a big one and he is unable to join us for the next series.”
A third series of Tempting Fortune has already been confirmed by Channel 4. The show follows a group of players who are hoping to win a share of £300,000 while on a gruelling trek in a remote location. However, they may be tempted to use part of the prize fund to spend on items that may make their journey easier including luxuration accommodation, food and other home comforts.
Production takes place in Malaysia, with the third series set to begin filming in early 2026. Following this timeline, the series is expected to hit screens in late 2026 or early 2027.
Paddy’s step down as presenter came after he previously revealed the toll that his family life had taken on his career. Paddy’s three children and his ex-wife Christine McGuinness were diagnosed with autism, with ex-Take Me Out presenter telling Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast about his time on the ITV dating show: “Sometimes I’d be in the dressing room with something on the phone at home and stressing about it.
“Then you’d go out there and you’d do the show and you’d come off, and I’d be knackered because I’d mentally burnt out."
He added: “I think your mind is a powerful tool. It makes everything worse. Every problem is magnified a million times, and I was always going ‘worst case scenario’ of everything.”