Dating shows Reality competitions Celebrity entertainment Unmissable entertainment
Looking for the best reality TV shows to watch in 2026? You're in the right place! From villa romances and celebrity chaos to nail-biting competitions and addictive social experiments, this year's reality TV line-up is bigger than ever.
Whether you're catching up on the latest Love Island drama, getting totallyyyy invested in The Traitors, or discovering a brand-new obsession, we've rounded up the best reality shows streaming now on BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more, plus the biggest reality TV premieres still to come in 2026.
Dating shows and relationship drama
Love Island USA (Series 8)
Watch on ITVX
Strap in, we're not in Mallorca this time but Fiji! And the drama is universal. You can now watch alllll the goss from Love Island USA on ITV X! Hosted by Vanderpump Rules' very own Ariana Madix, a fresh group of singles swap ordinary life for sun-soaked dates, romantic twists and plenty of rivalry as they search for love in one of reality TV's hottest destinations. We're so here for it!
I Kissed a Girl (Series 2)
Watch on BBC iPlayer
It starts with a kiss... and we're obsessed already. Hosted by Dannii Minogue, this groundbreaking dating show brings together a group of single lesbian and bisexual women, who are matched through first kisses rather than first impressions. Living together in a luxury villa, they'll navigate instant attraction, unexpected connections and emotional relationship twists as they search for love. With new arrivals shaking things up along the way, expect romance, heartbreak and plenty of moments that'll have you fully invested.
Love Island (Series 13)
Watch on ITVX
This summer, the villa was officially open for business. A brand-new cast of singles headed to Mallorca for a summer packed with bombshells, surprise recouplings and the chance to win £50,000. The whole series is ready to watch on ITV X, this is the reality TV conversation everyone wants in on.
Virgin Island (Series 2)
Watch on Channel 4
Virgin Island is officially coming back on our screens! Following adult virgins who have travelled to a gorgeous Mediterranean retreat to take their very first steps in intimacy, all kindly guided through by specialists. It’s warm and super thought-provoking.
Love Island All stars (Series 3)
Stream on ITVX
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you can’t have missed allllll the drama from the latest series 3 drop of Love Island All Stars! We’re talking returning islanders Millie Court, Whitney Abebayo and the one and only Scott van-der-Sluis. Consider our heads fully turned by a cheeky American plot twist!! If you’re wanting a looot of drama and goss, this one’s for you!
Celebs Go Dating (Series 15)
Watch on Channel 4
Your fave agency doors are swinging open once again as Celebs Go Dating returns for its 15th series, and the hunt for the one is officially back on! This series star-studded line up features: James Haskell, Colleen Nolan (Loose Women), Lucinda Light (Married at First Sight Australia), Gabby Allen (Love Island), and David Potts (Big Brother, Ibiza Weekender). We’re soooo ready for heart-fluttering chaos.
First Dates Beach Club
Watch on Channel 4
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Dreaming of a holiday? Let First Dates Beach Club fly you away to sun-soaked Spain. Think beachside cocktails, cheeky flirting and blind dates that you’ll totally get invested in. But there’s a twist!? These singletons won’t just go on ONE date but stay at the resort and meet a whooole line up of daters. And of course, trusty Fred Sirieix and Merlin Griffiths will be close by playing Cupid.
Can’t stop thinking of the beautiful Spain scenery? Freely have curated an ultimate list of the best travel shows to inspire your wanderlust!
Mind games and reality competitions
Celebrity Traitors (Series 2)
Watch on BBC iPlayer
The doors of the castle are creaking open once more, and the suspicion levels are already sky-high. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, Celebrity Traitors brings together a star-studded mix of familiar faces, including Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us, Time), James Acaster (Taskmaster, Off Menu), Joe Lycett (Late Night Lycett, The Lycett Arms), Maya Jama (Love Island), Miranda Hart (Miranda) and Richard E. Grant (The Outlaws, The Other Bennet Sister). With secret traitors lurking among the faithful, every side-eye, whisper and breakfast chat could mean something. Trust nobody. Suspect everybody. And prepare for some truly spectacular accusations.
Big Brother
Watch on ITV2 and ITVX
Big Brother is opening its doors once again, and this year's housemates are in for a rideee. From unexpected twists and sneaky surprises to nail-biting evictions, life in the house can turn upside down in a matter of moments. One day you're everyone's best mate, the next you're public enemy number one. Expect drama, friendships, diary room oversharing and some Jedward screen-time!
Want to know more!? Dive into our Big Brother deep dive.
The Box
Watch on ITV X
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Hosted by Gary Lineker, ITV's The Box sees ten celebrities transported in giant yellow boxes to mystery locations around the UK, where they're faced with a series of weird, brain-bending and physically demanding challenges with almost no instructions. Expect plenty of chaos, laughs and surprises, with contestants including Sara Davies (Dragons' Den) and comedian Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso, Strictly Come Dancing and 8 Out of 10 Cats).
Apocalypse
Watch on Channel 4
What would happen if all the little things we rely on every day suddenly disappeared? This gripping new social experiment swaps modern comforts for a very different way of life, as a group of strangers are left to fend for themselves in an abandoned town for 28 days. With no running water, no heating and no easy fixes, they'll need to think fast, work together and make every resource count. But when pressure starts to build, will teamwork save the day, or will things start to unravel?
The Piano (Series 6)
Watch on Channel 4
One of TV's most feel-good watches is back. Claudia Winkleman and Mika travel the country searching for extraordinary amateur pianists, uncovering remarkable stories and incredible talent along the way. Don't be surprised if this one leaves you reaching for the tissues.
Race Across the World (Series 6)
Catch up on BBC iPlayer
Race Across the World returns to iPlayer with its most ambitious journey yet, sending contestants on a breathtaking 12,000-kilometre trek winding through Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Andddd the conditions are wilder than ever, shifting from balmy Mediterranean days at 30 degrees to bone‑chilling, subarctic lows of –20°C. It’s a race of grit and pure determination!!
Traitors (Series 4)
Watch now on BBC iPlayer
The Traitors returned to the Highlands at the start of this year, with trust in short supply and paranoia piled high. Claudia Winkleman is back in the castle, red cloak and all, as 22 hopefuls from across the UK scheme, swear and side-eye their way towards a £120k prize. With deadlier mind games, trickier missions and banishments that sting even more, expect secrets to spill and friendships to crumble at breakfast.
Celebrity Sabotage
Watch on ITVX
Step right up to ITV’s dazzling brand new reality game show where nothing is what it seems! Innocent contestants think they’ve signed up for a new TV show, we’re talking a wholesome cooking show or maybe a quirky dating series... but oh no. Behind the scenes, a gang of celebrities is secretly pulling the strings and causing absolute chaos from a hidden HQ to help the unsuspecting players rack up a whopping £30,000 prize pot!
The trouble-makers are: Joel Dommett, Sam Thompson, Judi Love and GK Barry.
The Traitors US (Series 4)
Watch on BBC iPlayer
Finally making it's appearance in the UK, The Traitors US is back with Series 4 and we are so here for it! Alan Cumming returns as host in the US version of the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World (Season 3)
Stream now on BBC iPlayer
Sashay back into the werkroom because the world’s fiercest queens are going head-to-head once again! Fan-favourite Drag Race legends from across the globe return to compete for the ultimate crown – and bragging rights. Expect iconic runway looks, savage lip-syncs, shady one-liners and enough drama to make Mama Ru proud!
Traitors Ireland
Watch on BBC iPlayer
Say hello to Traitors Ireland – and trust us, this one brings the chaos. Hosted by the iconic Siobhán McSweeney, the stakes are sky-high as secret alliances, late-night whispers and jaw-dropping betrayals take over the castle. Friendships will shatter, trust will be tested and nobody is safe.
Celebrity chaos and big personalities
Princess Diaries (Series 3)
Watch now on ITVX
We have been waiiiiiting for this series drop! Princess Andre is back with a sparkling new series of Princess Diaries. We saw her countdown to 18 in the previous series, and now we’re getting the VIP backstage pass to big-girl era and career moves. Consider us fully invested!
The Only Way is Essex (Series 38)
Watch on ITVX or on ITV2
TOWIE is backkkkkk for its 38th series, and we couldn't be more excited to see what this lot are up to on the town!
The Vardys
Watch on ITVX
ITV’s new reality show The Vardys follows Jamie and Rebekah Vardy as they ditch the UK for a fresh start in Italy, letting cameras in on all the chaos of moving their family and starting over (putting all the "Wagatha" drama behind her). Expect plenty of drama, from house-hunting disasters to emotional moments, as they juggle a big life change while Jamie tries to prove himself on the pitch again.
Celebrity Gogglebox (Series 8)
Watch on Channel 4
Everybody's favourite sofa critics are back. From Rylan and mum Linda to the Kemps, Rob Beckett and Mo Gilligan, a cast packed with familiar faces settles in to share their hilarious takes on the week's biggest TV moments.
Made in Chelsea (Series 31)
Catch up on Channel 4
Drama, heartbreaks and side-eyes are just a few of the antics you can expect from the socially elite 20-somethings living in some of London’s poshest postcodes. And of course we just can’t get enough of it…
Unmissable entertainment
The Great British Bake Off (Series 13)
Watch on Channel 4
Ready, set... whisk! A fresh batch of bakers is stepping into television's most famous tent, with ambitious bakes, high-pressure challenges and the occasional kitchen wobble all on the menu. This series also welcomes baking and food legend Nigella Lawson to the judging line-up, bringing a new flavour to the competition!!
Taskmaster (Series 22)
Watch on Channel 4
How many utterly pointless tasks can one group of celebrities make look impossibly complicated? That's what Taskmaster is here to find out. Guided by the towering judgement of Greg Davies and the delightfully mischievous ideas of Alex Horne, a new line-up of famous faces will attempt strange challenges, questionable problem-solving and some truly baffling decision-making.
Strictly Come Dancing (Series 23)
Watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Has autumn officially started if Strictly hasn't returned to the ballroom? A brand-new group of celebrities is ready to trade everyday life for spray tans, sparkles and plenty of time spent counting steps. This year's line-up includes Lacey Turner (EastEnders), Dani Dyer (Love Island), Shaun Wright-Phillips and Graeme Hall (Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly), all hoping to glide, twirl and cha-cha their way into the nation's hearts. With dazzling performances, glitterball ambitions and a fresh presenting team keeping things moving, there's plenty to look forward to.
For all the contestant details, dancefloor gossip and everything else you need to know, check out our Strictly deep dive
Coming Soon:
Vanderpump Rules
Watch on Channel 4
The friendships change, but the chaos never does. One of reality TV's most iconic franchises returns with more relationship drama, workplace tension and headline-making moments.
Ru Paul's Drag Race UK
Watch on BBC iPlayer
Start your engines because a brand-new batch of queens is ready to enter the Werk Room. Expect fierce competition, iconic runway looks and enough charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to keep us entertained all season long.
Masterchef Australia
Watch on Channel 4
The cooking competition giant is back. Expect ambitious home cooks, impressive dishes and enough food inspiration to leave you immediately raiding the fridge.
If you're loving the recommendations why not discover all the new dramas coming in 2026!
