"She’s hugely popular with younger audiences."
Love Island star Shakira Khan has secured her biggest television opportunity yet after landing a coveted role on Gary Lineker’s brand new ITV show, The Box.
ITV signed Lineker following his high-profile exit from the BBC, with the broadcaster keen to give him a primetime platform in an exciting new format.
Filming for the series quietly began this week.
Shakira has been confirmed as the first signing for the star-studded line-up, which also features Sara Davies, Graeme Souness, Ellie Taylor and former Commons Speaker John Bercow.
Other celebrities include JB Gill, Ranvir Singh, Jenny Ryan, Danny Aarons and Joey Essex, making the line-up an eclectic mix of entertainment, sport, music and politics.
The show will challenge contestants in unusual ways, with each star placed inside a yellow box before being transported to mystery locations to face mental, physical and logical tasks.
At the end of every episode, the two lowest performers will compete in The Duel, where only one survives elimination and secures their spot for the next challenge.
An insider revealed: “All eyes are on The Box as it’s a new format and it’s Gary’s first for ITV.
“Shakira’s signing is a smart move.”
The source added: “She’s hugely popular with younger audiences, and although she’ll face big household names, executives believe she will shine and hold her own.”
The casting aligns with ITV’s strategy of bringing Love Island favourites onto mainstream primetime shows, hoping to harness the popularity generated by the summer reality series.
Lineker, who recently won Best Presenter at the National Television Awards, was officially confirmed for The Box last month.
The format has already proven to be a huge success in Norway.
While ITV declined to comment, anticipation is building as the show gears up for its 2026 launch, marking one of the broadcaster’s most ambitious entertainment projects.
The milestone comes as Shakira’s personal life continues to attract attention.
She and boyfriend Harry Cooksley recently went public with their romance after weeks of speculation.
Harry, a semi-professional footballer, jokingly referred to himself as “unemployed” following the dating show, but has since returned to his club commitments while supporting Shakira’s growing career.
The couple, who were Love Island runners-up, confirmed their relationship after Harry responded to a fan on TikTok, simply writing: “Correct” when asked if they were official.
Speaking about their blossoming romance, Harry shared:
“It’s a new experience for both of us, and I’m grateful to be doing it with her.”
With her career soaring and her relationship thriving, Shakira Khan is proving that life after the villa can be as glamorous as the show itself.
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