New C4 show Host The Week starring I’m A Celebrity winner Scarlett Moffatt is axed after just one episode
THE idea of Channel 4’s new satirical entertainment show Host The Week was that the celebrity guest hosts had no clue what was going on.
Sadly it seems they were not the only ones. I can reveal the madcap new series has been axed after just one episode, which pulled in only 450,000 viewers.
The first and now last star to take the helm was last year’s I’m A Celebrity winner SCARLETT MOFFATT, who had to turn up blind and improvise her way through a variety of fun situations.
It saw her host a comedy version of the Channel 4 news alongside newsreader KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY — and come face to face with her celebrity crush, Blue singer turned Hollyoaks star DUNCAN JAMES, in a spoof of Blind Date.
She also dressed up as Wonder Woman alongside a villainous H from STEPS, and interviewed the Nineties pop act on a make-believe chat show.
But sadly viewers failed to tune in to see Scarlett’s energetic efforts last Thursday.
Months of work on the series, including the planned second episode which comic JACK WHITEHALL was meant to film tomorrow, is now wasted.
A source said: “Channel 4 tried to give something new a go but it hasn’t worked on any level.
“It did not land with viewers and they’ve decided to not only leave the second episode, but completely pack in the show.
“It’s unfortunate for Scarlett as she ends up the only host of the show that didn’t work from the word go.”
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “We’re brave enough to take risks with innovative programme ideas but also to acknowledge they don’t all work and move on.”
This time, probably best for everyone.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Shayne's girl on call
CORONATION Street star SHAYNE WARD was meant to be on This Morning to discuss his own career news – but ended up revealing his other half’s.
The former X Factor star shared that girlfriend SOPHIE AUSTIN, who he has six-month-old daughter Willow May with, has bagged a role in Call The Midwife.
Shayne said his missus, who shot to fame in Hollyoaks, would “kill” him for dropping the bombshell.
He said: “Sophie’s an incredible mum and I’m always working, and now Sophie’s just starting a new job. She’ll probably kill me for saying this, and I have to say it because I’m excited for her, but she’s just started Call The Midwife. I’ll be daddy day care.”
Hopefully, Shayne’s better at babysitting than he is at keeping secrets.
Alesha Nics judge's spot
ALESHA DIXON had to step in for NICOLE SCHERZINGER at the X Factor auditions on Saturday because of a prior commitment.
And it looked like she was going to miss the next day too.
I’m told Nicole didn’t get to Old Trafford Cricket Ground until 5.30pm on Sunday despite show chiefs planning to start hours earlier.
Fellow judges SHARON OSBOURNE, LOUIS WALSH and boss SIMON COWELL had to begin without her.
Nicole missed Saturday’s auditions because of a gig with the BLACK EYED PEAS at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and had a nightmare getting back.
A source said: “Her flight was delayed and the airline lost her cases.”
But those on set were not too bothered with the change as Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha was on top form.
The source added: “Simon was laughing a lot. He was so impressed.”
Better make it a five-person panel, Simon.
Bizbit
BAD news for Doctor Who fans hoping OLIVIA COLMAN is going to replace PETER CAPALDI.
Her Broadchurch co-star and former Time Lord DAVID TENNANT said: “I don’t think her schedule would really allow it.”
Booted Chloe's Mike bid
LOVE ISLAND stars CHLOE CROWHURST and SAM GOWLAND were dumped from the villa tonight in a shock eviction.
The couple were given the boot after being voted least compatible by their fellow islanders.
But Chloe, whose ex-boyfriend is Towie’s JON CLARK, is thankful to be out of the villa.
And she is already hoping to crack on with dumped islander MIKE THALASSITIS.
Chloe admitted: “I did really like Mike.
“We spent a lot of time together in the villa and I was gutted when he left.
“I panicked and thought: ‘It’s either now or never.’ So I laid one on him.”
But Chloe said if claims that Mike bedded departed contestant JESSICA SHEARS are true, then she wouldn’t get together with him.
She added: “Obviously if he has done the dirty with Jess then we can only know each other as friends going forward.
“But I am still really attracted to him.”
I reckon she will probably find it in her heart to forgive him.
Soapbox
PHOEBE is feeling baffled by Justin’s sudden decision to break up with her in HOME AND AWAY.
She pleads with him to change his mind in but Justin is determined to draw a line under the relationship, even though they are both totally distraught with how things have turned out.
In heartbreaking scenes, Phoebe hands back her engagement ring and they kiss each other goodbye.
Over in HOLLYOAKS, Shane steals Goldie’s bank book in and then blackmails Cleo into helping to withdraw her savings.
Meanwhile, Milo makes a memorable entrance into the village and takes on villager in a bid to stay in Cindy’s spare room.
Must watch
WHAT?: Detectorists, BBC2, 10pm.
WHY? It’s the return of MACKENZIE CROOK’s award-winning comedy about a group of metal-detecting fans. Tonight’s episode sees two of them considering online dating.