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Huge ITV quiz show struggling to fill audience after shake up – leaving seats half empty despite ‘VIP package’ promises
The show was rebooted last year with a new host after a seven-year hiatus from screens
A HUGE ITV quiz show is struggling to fill its studio audience - despite offering 'VIP packages'.
Deal or No Deal bosses have been left in a panic as demand for tickets has appeared to plummet.
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The hit game show - which was rebooted by ITV after a seven-year hiatus - relaunched last year.
Stephen Mulhern took over hosting duties from original Channel 4 presenter Noel Edmonds, who gave him his blessing to front the series.
After securing favourable ratings in its daytime slot, execs at ITV ordered a whopping 100 new episodes plus celeb specials.
However, an audience mole has told The Sun how a recording this week was only half full with audience members.
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Filming for series two has changed from bustling MediaCity in Manchester to Maidstone Studios in Kent.
An insider said: “It’s a big issue that there’s just not as much as demand for the shows as before and perhaps the nostalgia has worn off.
“Some shows are being recorded with just a few rows filled.
“Applause Store, who handle tickets for major shows including Deal or No Deal, have tried enormously hard to put bums on seats including by offering VIP packages and free car parking.”
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A spokesperson for the programme said: “We dispute these claims. We are delighted with how filming is going for the new series.
"Deal Or No Deal headed back to the studio this week and has reached the audience capacity that we require for each episode.”
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This week the ticketing company has sent numerous emails to fans offering them special 'guest list' access to the free shows to fill the studio.
Included in the VIP experience is free car parking as well as complimentary food and drink.
Deal or No Deal originally aired on Channel 4 between 2005 until its axe in 2016, with a whopping 2,985 episodes produced.
Latest combined viewing ratings released by ITV show the rebooted format has been streaming an incredible 14million times across all devices.
Deal or No Deal in numbers
2005 saw it first launch with Noel Edmonds as host
2,985 episodes produced in its first run on Channel 4
16 celebrity specials aired across Channel 4 and ITV
12 series produced so far, with the 13th on the way
9 top prize winners to date, each scooping £250,000
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