Dermot O’Leary to present new show Silence is Golden on U&Dave

Led by the ever-charming Dermot O’Leary, U&Dave have announced a new show, Silence is Golden.

Each episode starts with a £250,000 prize to share with the studio audience. The catch? They have to keep quiet to keep it.

Silence is Golden, a six-part series, promises a unique entertainment experience. Created by Richard Bacon and produced by Yes Yes Media, the show asks the audience to remain silent while the actors, led by team captains including Katherine, do everything they can to make them laugh, gasp or even whisper.

Every noise lowers the prize money. If the pot reaches zero, the actors donate the money to charity. It’s a battle of wits and wills between the performers and the audience.

Katherine Ryan, Seann Walsh and Fatiha El-Ghorri have been confirmed as the three returning comedian captains who will appear in each episode.

Dermot, delighted with his new gig, said: “I’m really looking forward to Silence is Golden. When a show like this falls into your hands you can’t believe your luck.”

“We look forward to having fun with the audience, our comedians and our diverse cast of regulars, all trying to make the audience laugh, gasp and giggle.”

Katherine Ryan said: “I wonder if the studio audience will laugh at the money going to charity or if they will do the right thing and keep the money for themselves.”

Seann Walsh said: “I’ve been cast in a show where the audience isn’t allowed to laugh, and apparently I should be flattered by that.”

Fatiha El-Ghorri said: “I can’t wait to see the money flow Mwahahahahahahaha!”

Richard Bacon, founder of Yes Yes Media, compared the show to a funeral: “You know that feeling when you’re not allowed to laugh at a funeral? Well, that’s what it is: the game show.”

“And I applaud U&Dave for having the audacity to commission a show that will cost them a quarter of a million a week – if the audience plays better than us.”

Silence is Golden will air on U&Dave and stream on U next year, marking an exciting addition to U&Dave’s lineup, which includes Battle In The Box with Jimmy Carr and Follow The Leader with Jamali Maddix.

The launch of U, a new master brand for UKTV’s free-to-air channels and streaming service, is set for 16 July.