The Stage

Jeffrey Archer to appear in ITV reality show

Published Friday 24 November 2006 at 14:50 by Liz Thomas

Jeffrey Archer has been confirmed in the line-up in a new reality show for ITV1, in which millionaire entrepreneurs give away their own money to make people’s dreams come true.

Billed as a cross between Jim’ll Fix It and Dragons’ Den, the show is understood to be set for broadcast in prime time on Tuesday nights and is fronted by Richard Madeley. As The Stage revealed earlier this year the show is being made by independent production house Fever Media and originally had the title Million Pound Giveaway.

It will now be called Fortune and features five millionaires - three male and two female - give away their own money to create a £1 million total. Members of the public then have to plead their case about why they should be given the money or a proportion of the money.

A source said: “Three of the entrepreneurs have to agree on the case before any money is given, and it can be anything amount. It’s up to the public to persuade them that they need the money the most.”

There is no stipulation on what the cash could be used for and an insider said that it could be ideal for upcoming new talent to fund themselves to make a career in the performing arts - if they can cajole the panel that it is worth it.

Archer will join Ann Summer’s founder Jacqueline Gold, Scottish entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan and MOBO founder Kanya King as benefactors.