Over six episodes, Alan Carr and Susie Dent help unearth the hidden potential in a group of ordinary people with extraordinary minds that may have been overlooked by the education system.

Comprised of four regional heats, adults of all ages and from all walks of life take on a series of intelligence tests and games based on the challenges Mensa uses to measure IQ. From quickfire word games to mind-boggling memory and fluid reasoning challenges, the games are clever and unpredictable— with Alan and Susie providing their signature warmth, wit, and playful commentary throughout.
Alongside the brain-teasing fun, viewers meet the contestants: a tree surgeon with four GCSEs, a shepherd who taught her sheepdog sign language, a delivery driver with an uncanny memory for faces, a village pharmacist nicknamed “Sherlock,” a prison chaplain, a bus driver, and many more. Through laughter, nerves, and surprises, each person shares their story, revealing why this competition matters and how intelligence can shine in unexpected ways.

The top contestants from each heat earn a place in the final twelve at Oxford University, where the strongest minds face off in nail-biting head-to-head challenges. Friendships are forged, confidence blossoms, and in the final episode, the last four go head-to-head to crown Britain’s first Secret Genius.

This is a series full of heart, humour, and brilliance—proving that genius comes in many forms, and sometimes it just needs the right challenge to shine.

Don’t miss Episode 2 at 9pm on Monday 02nd February. Catch the rest of the episodes each Sunday at 9pm.

Click to read Secret Genius draws 1.2m viewers for Channel 4 debut with Alan Carr PDF