YouTube star MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is joining ABC's reality business show Shark Tank as a guest shark for its 18th season, which is due to premiere in the autumn. The move continues the long-running programme's strategy of using high-profile personalities to draw viewers, and reflects a broader shift towards featuring content creators and podcasters rather than solely traditional business figures.

Donaldson will appear alongside Beast Industries chief executive Jeffrey Housenbold and a starry roster of other guest sharks, including Mindy Kaling, former NFL player J.J. Watt, Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett, and Sara and Erin Foster. They will feature alongside the show's permanent sharks, such as Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner and Kevin O'Leary. Shark Tank, which debuted in 2009, remains one of broadcast television's most durable reality formats and has produced notable deals, including Ring, later sold to Amazon for $1 billion. Its selection of creators mirrors ABC's approach with Dancing with the Stars, following Mark Cuban's departure last year.