Game Shows with Big Prizes and Big Challenges
A game show featuring a life-changing £1 million prize and a star-studded host has reportedly been put on hold by the network, following mixed reactions from viewers. The show, called Road to a Million, has aired for two series on Amazon’s Prime Video, but its future is now uncertain.
Inspired by the James Bond films, the show sees contestants take on high-energy challenges in an effort to win the grand prize. The show’s host, Brian Cox, is a well-known actor who has appeared in the hit series Succession and has won both Olivier and Primetime Emmy Awards. At 79 years old, Cox plays the role of The Controller in the program.
According to reports, Road to a Million has now been ‘shelved’ after its two series on Prime Video. The Daily Mail has contacted Prime Video for further information.
The program features stunts and settings that are reminiscent of the iconic Bond movies. Contestants are tasked with completing epic challenges such as scaling towers in Bangkok, shark diving, gathering intelligence, and navigating cable systems in the Alps.
When discussing his involvement in the show, Brian Cox said: ‘I got to see how ordinary people would cope with being on a James Bond adventure. As they travel the world to some of the most iconic Bond locations, it gets more intense and nail-biting.’
The first series of Road to a Million premiered in November 2023, followed by the second series in August 2025. However, the show’s future remains unclear.
In February, another UK game show faced a similar fate when it was ‘axed’ by ITV, causing disappointment among fans. The latest version of the popular format Jeopardy! launched in January 2024, hosted by Sir Stephen Fry. The show involves contestants answering trivia questions to win thousands of pounds.
According to TVZone, ITV decided to cancel the program after two series, with no plans for a return. The show last aired almost a year ago, with the second series concluding its 25-episode run.
Sir Stephen Fry was first announced as the host back in February 2023. He described himself as a fan of the show, saying: ‘In the United States, ‘Jeopardy!’ is a phenomenon like no other. Whenever I’m in America, I do my damnedest to catch it every weekday. The idea of hosting it here in the UK makes me dizzy with delight. Such a dedicated quizzing nation as ours will, I hope, welcome this uniquely beguiling and endlessly rewarding game.’
Fans expressed their disappointment over the show’s cancellation. One fan wrote on X: ‘That’s a shame. The second series was such an improvement too.’ Another added: ‘Oh no. I enjoyed this.’ A third fan commented: ‘Not surprised, it seemed to drag on although the second series was a big improvement and I’d have liked a third.’ A fourth fan said: ‘I enjoyed the reboot. Such a shame one of the longest running quiz shows in the world fails to become a success in the UK.’
In April 2025, contestant Ben Jones made history by winning the biggest jackpot ever seen on the show. The host welcomed returning champion Ben and mentioned two new challenges for him. At the start of the episode, Ben had already accumulated £59,730.
During the final round, Stephen Fry asked the question: ‘Matthew Broderick starred in the title role of the 1980s comedy film ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, directed by this man.’ Ben, a hotel receptionist from Caerphilly, correctly answered: ‘Who is John Hughes?’
