The BBC is about to announce a new version of its popular comedy panel show Would I Lie To You? starring former British prime minister Boris Johnson and ex-Australian PM Scott Morrison.
What was to be the 17th series of WILTY?, which I can reveal here exclusively for readers of The Bug, has been delayed going to air because of the need to finalise adjustments to the format to accommodate its new stars.
The program was set to continue to be hosted by Rob Brydon with Johnson replacing UK comedian Lee Mack and Morrison taking over from another British funnyman, David Mitchell, as team leaders.
Since the show first aired in 2007 it has been based on having two teams of three who are given information about themselves to read out and their opponents need to guess if they are lying or telling the truth.
But a BBC source told me that top secret rehearsals (main picture) had proved the success of the new cast while also exposing the need for some changes to the show’s usual format.
“The secret rehearsals showed up a flaw in the new cast line-up,” the source told me. “Every single time Morrison or Johnson played the game they lied.
“When the claim they read out about themselves was actually true they claimed it was lie, then when the claim was a lie they said it was true. They are both so accustomed to lying that they basically lied about lying.
“Because contracts had been signed with both Morrison and Johnson, the producers decided they need to alter the format of the show for the first time.
“It will now be titled I Would Lie To You and will feature only Morrison and Johnson on opposing sides with Rob Brydon still in the middle.
“The content of the show will also be radically altered so that instead of somewhat random and bizarre scenarios being offered up as being the truth or a lie, Rob will quiz both ex-PMs about their personal political records and question the veracity of specific statements or actions from their time in office.
“The BBC is keeping a brave face and is publicly expressing faith in the new format even though behind the scenes they know it loses the element of surprise because no matter what answer Morrison or Johnson give, the audience will know the real one,” the source said.
The BBC said the appearance of Boris Johnson was possible only because of his recent resignation from the British Parliament, prompting me to quiz Scott Morrison about his ongoing position as Member for Cook in the federal parliament.
“I can tell you Buddy, I’m staying on as Member for Cook and running for another term in 2025 is not off the agenda for me,” Morrison told me in no uncertain terms.
So get ready for a by-election very soon.
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