The return of Michael McIntyre's Big Show to BBC One on Saturday night served up a truly heart-warming and emotional surprise, leaving one unsuspecting guest struggling to speak.
The Ultimate Pub Prank
In the show's popular Unexpected Star segment, 44-year-old Sam from Torquay was led to believe he was visiting the 'smallest pub in London' with his best friend, Steve. Unbeknownst to him, the entire pub was an elaborate set constructed on the theatre stage.
The ruse continued when Sam was offered a free drink if he could hit a bullseye with a dart. The moment his dart hit the board, the entire wall collapsed to reveal comedian Michael McIntyre and a packed auditorium, which included Sam's wife, Jess, and their two children.
An Overwhelming Reaction
The quantity surveyor was visibly stunned by the reveal, wiping away a tear as he tried to process the situation. "I'm overwhelmed," he managed to say, prompting Michael to joke about his inability to form a full sentence.
"I'm so worried about you," McIntyre said, adding, "We've yet to get an entire sentence." After checking if Sam felt sick, the nervous guest admitted he was "struggling breathing to be fair."
After sitting down and taking deep breaths, Michael reassured him: "You're going to take advantage of this incredible night because this is about giving you a special moment in your life."
A Dream Performance Realised
Later in the show, Sam returned to the stage to seize his moment. He delivered a powerful performance of Adele's hit song 'Easy On Me', stunning the live audience and viewers at home.
Following his performance, an elated Sam said: "I feel amazing, amazing, just thank you so much. To come and sing in a theatre like this, it's like a lifelong dream. It's been fantastic."
The performance quickly garnered praise on social media platform X, with viewers expressing their admiration:
- One viewer wrote: "BLIMEY - unexpected star of the show singing @Adele" with starry-eyed emojis.
- Another exclaimed: "WOWZERS!!! Sam what a voice!!!!!!"
- A third simply stated: "He's got a voice wowzers."
The 18th of January 2026 broadcast proved once again that the show's formula of creating genuine, emotional surprises for members of the public continues to resonate deeply with audiences.
