Ex Generation Game host Isla St Clair blasts the efforts of new presenters Mel and Sue
TO say the Generation Game reboot has been badly received would be something of an understatement.
And the show’s bosses haven’t even got an ally in one of the legendary programme’s most familiar faces.
Isla St Clair , who was co-host of the BBC1 show alongside Larry Grayson for four years, has blasted the efforts of Mel and Sue , as it returned on Sunday night.
In an exclusive chat, she branded it “disappointingly lacklustre” and said it lacked innovation.
Isla, said: “The staging seemed rather cramped.
“Mel and Sue’s presentation style, although competent and pleasant, didn’t have the drive and sparkle of previous hosts.
“I was surprised that the producers plumped for the old format with little new innovation, encompassing perhaps a computer-style game which would invariably flummox the oldies and amuse the younger generation.
All in all, a degeneration game show.”
On Monday, I told how the programme — which has also been fronted by Bruce Forsyth and Jim Davidson — had suffered a conveyor belt of gaffes as it recycled old gags, used canned laughter and lost its first choice host in Miranda Hart.
Former co-host Isla initially had high hopes and asked why it had taken this long for the reboot to take place.
She said: “I don’t know what’s taken the BBC so long to revive such a fun family format, enjoyed by all ages.
“People are longing for something good fun that doesn’t involve eating worms or awful revelations about folks’ dirty washing which should’ve been kept indoors.”
The show was meant to be a four-part series but bosses axed half after being left unimpressed with Mel and Sue’s gags.
On Sunday’s viewing, it wasn’t hard to see why.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
ALEX: MY ONE HELL
GOING back to work is tough for any new mum, but even more so when four million viewers are watching.
Alex Jones revealed she regretted going back to The One Show when baby Teddy was three months old after she lactated on air and felt forced to quit breastfeeding.
Alex, above with Teddy and husband Charlie Thomson, said: “I was trying to express between meetings and my breast milk was kept in the fridge with food and drink for the show’s guests.
“Then I’d be sat there on the set and I would feel a stain coming through my dress.
“There were some awful comments that destroyed my confidence and, in the end, I switched to formula.”
The presenter was also “anxious and a bit sick” about being replaced when she went on maternity leave last year.
She told the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast: “I was worried that somebody else would do it better.
“I was hitting my career stride and then biology was dictating when I needed to take a break.
I’m the main breadwinner, so that raised a lot of questions.”
PADDY SNOGS A LADDIE
Pictures of comic Paddy McGuinness with someone other than wife Christine have caused him headaches recently – but this one won’t bring on another.
He and Keith Lemon recreated Julia Roberts and Richard Gere’s Pretty Woman kiss for ITV’s The Keith & Paddy Picture Show to be screened this month.
Paddy, below right, said: “He’s wonderful, he just needs to trim the beard down. We always end up in some sort of sex scene.”
Keith, said: “When we watch the actual films it’s a good sign when we cringe over a scene – we know we have to do it because it’ll be funny.
“We were cringing so much watching Pretty Woman.”
NO KINKY PAIN FOR DUNCAN
DUNCAN JAMES might have to give the boyband dance moves a miss for the next few months.
The singer-turned-actor needs more surgery after a back injury in 2016 left him with nerve damage and a limp.
The Hollyoaks star, who is leaving the Channel 4 soap to go back on tour with BLUE, has had to turn down roles including stage show Kinky Boots because he’s in agony.
Speaking at the Ruthless! The Musical launch, the singer said: “I was up for a part in Kinky Boots. I couldn’t do it because it’s a part where I’m in heels again and I can’t put that strain on my back.
“I had an MRI scan recently which was a bit unfortunate. I was hoping things might be better than they are and they’re not.
“It’s really bad. It’s a bit of a worry for me because it’s my life. It’s scary.”
Duncan has previously told how nerve damage had left him unable to walk and in need of emergency surgery.
He had feared the operation two years ago would stop him filming for Hollyoaks, but he recovered enough to make his debut.
Bizbit
THE Voice coaches SIR TOM JONES, OLLY MURS, WILL.I.AM and JENNIFER HUDSON will open Saturday’s live final by singing THE BEATLES track Come Together. Later on, they will perform duets with the remaining four acts.
Must watch
WHAT? Housing Yorkshire: Somewhere To Call Home, 9pm, Channel 5.
WHY? In this documentary about Yorkshire housing officers, Jas looks into
claims that some tenants have fraudulently obtained a three-bedroom house
Soapbox
BRENDA spontaneously decides to take her revenge on Laurel in EMMERDALE by stealing her wallet after she leaves it on a table.
Elsewhere, Aaron gets visited by Adam’s cellmate who has blackmail in mind, and there’s a moment of panic when Megan spots bruising on Eliza’s arms.
In CORONATION STREET, Craig shuts himself away inside his home, Mary suspects Judy is embarrassed by her, and Chesney becomes Dev’s catch of the day.
Meanwhile, David makes a secret visit to a clinic – and he makes a huge sacrifice to ensure the terrible secret he is keeping remains covered up.