The first series of The Circle began on 18 September 2018 on Channel 4, and concluded after 21 days with a live final on 8 October 2018. This series was hosted by Alice Levine and Maya Jama on both the launch and the final, and was narrated by Sophie Willan. Ahead of the series it was announced that players would be competing against each other to become the most popular, but would never actually meet. Instead they would communicate through a specially designed app and be able to portray themselves in any way they choose. The series launched with a total of 1,607,000 including +1 catch-up services. It concluded with 1,125,000.
On 8 October 2018, the series was won by Alex Hobern, who had played the game claiming to be a 25-year-old woman called Kate, using photos of his real-life girlfriend Millie. Alex also won the "viewers champion" for an additional £25,000, claiming £75,000 in total. Freddie Bentley was the series runner-up.
Following this series, it was announced that Alice and Maya would not be returning for the second, with Emma Willis taking over the role as presenter instead.
Players The contestants taking part in the series were revealed on 18 September 2018. However throughout the series more players joined The Circle.
Name Age Hometown Playing as Entered Exited Status Jennifer Freeman 40 Newcastle Herself, but a doctor and younger (34) Episode 1 Episode 2Blocked Mitchell Palmer 22 Norfolk Himself Episode 1 Episode 4Blocked Sinead Edwards 22 Carmarthenshire "Christopher", a 65-year-old retired antiques dealer Episode 3 Episode 6Blocked Aiden Bradbury 19 Wakefield Herself Episode 1 Episode 6Blocked Genelle Perkins 31 London Herself, but not revealing that she's a mother with her daughter Episode 1 Walked Hannah Rosie Steadman 27 London Herself Episode 7 Blocked Ryan Gooding 28 Ipswich Himself Episode 5 Blocked Mairead Martin 57 Cheshire Herself, but younger (32), and using another woman's photos Blocked Precious Muir 34 London Herself, but younger (25) Blocked Scotty Forrester 36 London Himself, but younger (31) Episode 7 Blocked Harry Southern 22 South Shields Himself Blocked Dan Mosaku 28 London Himself Episode 1 Sian Owen 20 London A “Plain Jane” version of herself Episode 1 Third place Freddie Bentley 20 Essex Himself, but straight and older (24) Episode 1 Runner-up Alex Hobern 26 London "Kate", a 25-year-old woman Episode 1 Winner
Results and elimination For the first series, the contestants rated one another out of five throughout. At the end of each ratings their average scores were revealed from highest to lowest to the players. The two highest rated players became "influencers", while the remaining players were at risk of being "blocked" by the influencers.
+Colour key The contestant was blocked. The contestant was an influencer. The contestant was immune from being rated and blocked.
Episode 2 Episode 4 Episode 6 Episode 10 Episode 12 Episode 13 Episode 15 Episode 16 Episode 17 Episode 18Final Alex"Kate"3.283.41 2.86 2.71 2.50 2.71 3.50 Notpublished 2.50 3.00 Winner Freddie 2.71 2.43 3.14 2.86 2.83 3.14 3.33 Notpublished 3.00 2.67 Runner-up (Episode 18) Sian 3.003.14 2.43 3.003.173.29 4.00 Notpublished 4.25 2.33 Third place (Episode 18) Dan 3.14 2.86 3.71 2.86 2.83 3.43 3.83 Notpublished 2.75 2.00 (Episode 18) Harry Not inThe CircleExempt 2.33 Notpublished 1.50Blocked(Episode 17) Scotty Not inThe Circle 2.713.17 2.86 3.50 NotpublishedBlocked(Episode 16) Precious Not inThe CircleExempt 2.00Blocked(Episode 15) Mairead Not inThe CircleExempt 2.57Blocked(Episode 13) Ryan Not inThe CircleExempt 2.57 2.50Blocked(Episode 12) Hannah Not inThe Circle 2.29Blocked(Episode 10) Genelle 3.00 2.71 3.14Walked(Episode 10) Aiden 2.86 2.57 2.57Blocked(Episode 6) Sinead"Christopher" Not inExempt 2.00Blocked(Episode 6) Mitchell 2.43 2.86Blocked(Episode 4) Jennifer 2.28Blocked(Episode 2) Notesnone 1 2none 3 4none Influencers Alex,Dan Alex,Sian Dan,Freddie,Genelle none Scotty,Sian Dan,Sian none Siannone WalkednoneGenelle noneBlockedJenniferInfluencers'choice to blockMitchellInfluencers'choice to blockSinead"Christopher"Influencers'choice to blockHannahLowestrated playerRyanInfluencers'choice to blockMaireadInfluencers'choice to blockPrecious3 of 5votes to blockScottySuper-influencer'schoice to blockHarryLowestrated playerDanrated playerSianThird highestAidenInfluencer'schoice to blockFreddieAlex"Kate"Highestrated player
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