Ryan and Adam Thomas are back on our screens, but this time, they’re swapping soapland for game-show madness. The brothers – Ryan, 40, best known for playing Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street, and Adam, 36, who starred as Adam Barton in Emmerdale – are fronting ITV’s new prime-time show 99 To Beat, and trust us, it’s absolute chaos. With 100 contestants battling it out in bizarre challenges – think catching a potato on a fork and defrosting frozen T-shirts – the show is fast, unpredictable, and completely hilarious. The eight-part series starts with 100 players, and viewers will follow as they go head-to-head. After each round, the number of contestants is gradually whittled down, with only one person taking the top prize of £25,000. “It’s stupid, silly, random, competitive, and everything we love,” Ryan tells us. While the pair have taken on their fair share of reality TV (I’m A Celeb, Strictly, Celebrity Big Brother), hosting is a whole new ball game. Luckily, their natural chemistry keeps things flowing. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously – we’re just having a laugh!” Adam adds. Here, they tell new about the chaos of the show and a return for Ryan to the cobbles…
The series starts with 100 players
(Image: ITV)
Hey guys! What made you want to be part of this game show? Ryan: Oh, I mean, it’s just the perfect game show for us to be a part of – it’s stupid, silly, random, competitive… It’s just something we’ve never seen on TV before. What was it like during filming? Did it get tense or emotional at any point? Ryan: Well, as you can imagine with 100 contestants, it starts off a little bit light-hearted with everyone supporting each other. But as the numbers get smaller, the tension builds. You’ve got 100 yoga balls dropping from the ceiling, blindfolded contestants – it’s just hilarious, you think what am I actually watching? But as it progresses, you really connect with the contestants and start rooting for them. The beauty of this game is that anyone can play it – whether you’re an 18-year-old guy or an 80-year-old woman.
Adam and Ryan say the games are easy that anyone can do
How do you find working with each other? Ryan: That was the only bit I didn’t enjoy! [laughs] Honestly, that’s the cherry on the cake. Working with my little bro is a dream. I learn so much from my brother. We have a natural connection and chemistry from growing up together, so it makes everything easier. How did you feel about hosting for the first time? Were you surprised to get the offer? Adam: Yeah, hosting a prime-time game show for ITV1 is a dream come true – not everyone gets that. We were jumping for joy when we got the opportunity. Especially on ITV1 – a platform we grew up on, Ryan on Corrie and me on Emmerdale. We’ve been on so many reality shows between us Big Brother, I’m A Celeb, Strictly, we’ve ticked every box, so this felt like the natural next step. The only place left for us to go was Love Island, but our wives wouldn’t be too happy about that!
There will only be one winner who will take home £25,000
How does your brother Scott feel about you two working together on this? Would you like to bring him in? Adam: Well, as the series goes on, Scott does make a little cameo – we couldn’t leave him out. We did try to make it work with him doing it too so we asked if there was a way to get him involved, and luckily, they said yes. It was a special moment for all three of us. Can you give us a brief introduction to the show and some of the games that feature on there? Ryan: It’s got a Squid Game kind of vibe – without the serious drama! It’s light-hearted and competitive, with 100 contestants and £25,000 at stake. The goal is simple: don’t come last. If you come last, you’re out, and there can only be one winner. Out of 100 we are left with one winner. The games are ridiculous – catching a spud on a fork, defrosting a frozen T-shirt and putting it on. Adam: They’re simple but fun, and anyone can play them. My kids can play some of these at home.
The game show has a “squid game vibe”
There have been reports that some contestants got injured during filming for the game show. Were you expecting that? Ryan: Yeah, one girl twisted her ankle just while celebrating. It was so unfortunate because it took her out of the competition, and she must have been devastated. But freak accidents happen in life, and it is such a shame but the show must go on. Did you look at any other game show hosts for advice or inspiration? Adam: We grew up watching the greats like Ant and Dec, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with them. But me and Ryan bring a different dynamic to this – we’re brothers, and that gives the show a unique feel. It is nice to not be compared to anyone. Ryan: To be honest, we don’t really know what we’re doing! [laughs]
One contestant had to be removed from the show after a broken ankle
Adam: We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and neither does the game show. We just have a laugh and enjoy it as much as we can. There are rumours that Ryan might be returning to Coronation Street. Can you confirm? Ryan: The rumours are true. I got the call from Sue Cleaver asking if I’d come back for an exit storyline. Coronation Street is where my career started, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. I am very loyal to where I came from. I’m excited to step back onto the cobbles, even if just for a short time. My kids weren’t alive when I was on the show, so they’ll get to see me in it now, which is really special. 99 To Beat starts on Saturday 22 March at 6pm on ITV1
