ITV executives decide to axe Survival of the Fittest after just one series
IT was billed as the Winter Love Island, but sadly ITV’s ambitious show Survival of the Fittest received something of a frosty reception.
And I can reveal the battle of the sexes programme, filmed at huge expense on location in South Africa, has been axed after just one series.
Unfortunately, the show — hosted by Irish presenter Laura Whitmore — didn’t quite live up to the expectations of ITV bosses who took a bold gamble in trying to launch it so soon after Love Island.
A TV source said: “It was a good show but naturally expensive and ambitious in its scale.
“Shooting it in South Africa inevitably comes with a cost and unfortunately execs at ITV couldn’t justify a second series. But ITV have got some brilliant things lined up on ITV2 for next year.”
The programme, fronted by Laura and voiced by comedian Brennan Reece, saw men compete against women in tasks, one of which resulted in EastEnders star Danny Dyer’s daughter Dani having to exit the show after just the first episode when she dislocated her shoulder.
It brought in just 600,000 viewers but it did find love for some contestants including Warren Phillips and Mariam Musa who are still together since it aired in March.
An ITV spokesman said: “There are no current plans for a further series of Survival Of The Fittest. It was an ambitious and brilliantly produced show and we’d like to thank Laura, Brennan and all the team who worked on it.”
At least everybody got a free holiday and a lovely tan.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF
ANDY HALLS'
BIZARRE TV COLUMN
bizbit
BIG Brother has given contestant Tomasz Wania a breathing aid to stop him snoring.
Tomasz got the machine after angry housemates were losing sleep.
A spokesman confirmed: “After taking medical advice about his snoring, he was given an oxygen machine to help him with his breathing during sleep.”
Lighting the way
THIS Morning will celebrate 30 years on our screens next month and Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby have picked out some of their favourite guests since they began fronting the show in 2002 and 2009 respectively.
Holly said: “Celebrity favourites are always amazing strong women like Joan Collins or Joanna Lumley, but I don’t think I could choose a favourite from the incredible human interest stories we get.
"I do sometimes get emotional and that’s because I’m really feeling for what they’ve been through.
“Like the viewers watching, we are often hearing these stories for the first time too and emotions can take you by surprise.”
Her silver fox co-host added: “The only celebrity guest I’ve wanted on the sofa who is still yet to appear is Dame Judi Dench, but she just doesn’t do live interviews like this sadly.”
Well Phil, you’ve got ten years to convince her to pop in for This Morning’s 40th.
bizbit
AFTER Love Island’s Jack Fowler committed the ultimate showbiz snub by unfollowing Alex Miller on Instagram, the bewildered fellow Islander, who did a charity sky dive for Rays of Sunshine, said: “I don’t what his f*****g problem is. It’s a bit annoying.”
Mel and Sue in hunt for a hit
THEY very nearly put a bullet in the Great British Bake Off when it moved from BBC to Channel 4, but now they’re turning assassins for a living.
Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins will star in their first scripted comedy – Hitmen.
The Sky One six-perter, to be screened next year, is about two friends whose job is knocking people off. Mel and Sue play Jamie and Fran, and their jobs are derailed by incompetence.
Mel said: “It’s 30 years ago that I met Sue Perkins, and we had happy times together playing ridiculous characters. Essentially nothing has changed and that’s a great comfort.”
I’ve not always been the biggest fan of Mel and Sue’s work – see the Generation Game – but then again I’ve never seen them act before. British telly is crying out for a new comedy, and I hope Mel and Sue can deliver it.
Davina to drop in soon
AFTER Channel 4 cut the Million Pound Drop’s budget to a tenth it was probably so they could make more episodes — and that’s exactly what they’re doing.
I’m told that Davina McCall will be back with a second series of The 100k Drop next year. The show sees contestants start with the sum, placing bundles of notes on trapdoors linked to answers over seven rounds with cash on the wrong door dropped out of the game and final tally.
Davina said: “I couldn’t be more ecstatic that we are back for a second series. The first series was such a thrill ride, and we had the biggest win of the series with £75,000 so l can’t wait to see if a lucky pair will get to take home the full £100,000 this time round. It’s all for the taking in series two.”
With 60 episodes commissioned, no wonder they’ve had to reduce the prize money. Channel 4 clearly spent all their dosh on Bake Off.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
Soapbox
MICK is in prison after last week’s events and already feels isolated from his life on the outside, in EastEnders.
Desperate to speak to Johnny and wish him a happy birthday, Mick speaks to a notorious fellow lag Fraser, having heard that he can supply a burner phone.
In Coronation Street, Hannah tells Liz the hospital are denying any wrongdoing and it will take too long to go through the courts to get the money. Liz researches the treatment and realises it will cost £25,000, so she offers Hannah her life savings.
In Emmerdale, Charity is in self-destruct mode and is angry at her family for doing nothing when her dad threw her out as a teenager.
must watch
WHAT? Reported Missing, BBC1, 9pm
WHY? Weeks turn into months in the search for Michael Price, 40, and his loved ones become more and more frustrated at the lack of progress. Gripping TV.