I was on The Wheel and Michael McIntyre showed his true colours

A contestant on The Wheel has revealed what Michael McIntyre was like when the cameras stopped rolling.

Comedian Michael, 49, created the smash-hit BBC game show and has presented it since its 2020 debut.

It sees members of the public attempting to win large cash prizes - with help from a group of celebrities.

These famous faces - each appointed as 'expert' on a topic - are randomly spun in to help on different questions. 

Previous player Jess Smith, 34, who lost out on an eye-watering sum in her stint, opened up about her experience meeting Michael.

She told The Express on behalf of Slots Temple: 'Michael was really involved in picking who was on the show, which I think is really nice. 

'It makes such a difference, you can tell he really cares about the show.

'He was so nice. I wasn't sure if he would be the same as he is on TV, as you never know. We always watched it and wondered what he's like in real life. 

'Before the filming they took us over to meet him. He was just chatting with the crew and having a laugh. 

'He was just really nice and really jokey. He was really warm, it felt really genuine. All the production crew also said he was lovely which says a lot.' 

She added: '[Producers] did say don’t try to outwit Michael McIntyre because you won’t be able to - which was very funny.' 

During the episode, Jess had assistance from the likes of Deborah Meaden, Russell T. Davies and Harry Redknapp, to name a few.

She was first up to play and successfully cleared all but two categories - but lost out on the £97,000 prize on a football question.

Having left empty-handed, Jess revealed she would be up for another shot, saying she would '100% try and go on it again'.

It comes as fellow comic Chris McCausland baffles Michael as he exploits a 'loophole' in a sneak peek at Saturday's episode of the BBC show.

The instalment will see comedian Judi Love, 45, former boxer Tony Bellew, 43, funnywoman Ellie Taylor, 42, YouTuber George Clarke, 26, broadcaster Kelly Cates, 50, funnyman Jason Manford, 44, and actor Chris, 48, take on the wheel.

'Michael McIntyre hosts a game show packed with huge stars, big laughs and a giant spinning wheel. Can the contestants, guided by celebrity experts, answer their way to a fortune?' BBC's synopsis of the show reads on iPlayer.

In an exclusive clip obtained by the Daily Mail, host Michael tells viewers what the famous faces are experts on.

Judi's topic is spa treatments, Tony's is boxing champions, Ellie's is Australian men, George's is social media, Kelly's is premiere league, Jason's is show tunes and Chris' topic is Jason Manford.

Jason is left looking very confused about Chris as he pulls a funny face after Michael reveals all.

Michael explains: 'This is a genuine thing that we have kept a secret from Jason. Chris, talk us through your category tonight.'

Chris tells him: 'Well you see I've been on this show a couple of times and I've found a loophole that allows me to have a subject where I won't be expected to know the most about it.

'So I've been studying Jason hard. I've paid somebody to go through his bins.'

He then turns to Jason and tells him: 'You need to shred your mail Jason. I literally know everything.

'From his first gig in comedy, to the rash he's suffering from at the moment.'

Michael jokes: 'And make-up did such a fine job!'

Jason replies: 'What you've managed to do whilst getting yourself off the hook, is make it harder for me.

'If that question lands on me, and I get it wrong...'