BAFTA-winning One Born Every Minute axed after a ratings nosedive
BAFTA-winning One Born Every Minute has been axed after a ratings nosedive.
I can reveal bosses have decided to quietly cancel the Channel 4 show after 11 series in eight years — and more than 250 screaming babies.
Viewing figures fell to 600,000 in its final episode in May last year, a far cry from an audience of more than five million when it launched in 2010.
A TV insider said: “Producers decided One Born Every Minute will not be returning this year.
“It used to be one of Channel 4’s most popular formats but it seems as if it’s had its day, as viewers have slowly had enough of watching women give birth.
“They’ve dragged out the story of childbirth for as long as they believe possible and want to start working on newer formats for younger audiences.
“It’s a real shame as it has been a huge part of Channel 4. But there is no point flogging a dead horse.” Only recently, C4’s former chief creative officer Ralph Lee hinted the show might be canned.
He admitted there had been “some erosion of the older titles like One Born Every Minute”.
Despite the news, fans will still be able to get their baby fix over on BBC2 as the rival channel is launching a series called The Arrival.
The upcoming programme will see the makers move out of the labour ward to follow babies at home, along with the new mums and dads as they take their first steps into the world of parenting.
They should rename it Gurglebox.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Fearne homes in on style
HOMES are clearly where the heart is for Fearne Cotton.
Just months after quitting Keith Lemon’s Celebrity Juice, the TV presenter is gearing up to host a brand new show on BBC2 and Netflix called Interior Design Masters.
Fearne will team up with former editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration magazine Michelle Ogundehin, who will judge ten fledgling designers vying to win a commercial contract.
Contestants taking on the challenges, ranging from redesigning hair salons to holiday chalets, include retired Army officer Verity, and Terian, a solicitor. And Fearne has already applied tips she learned on the eight-part series to the home she shares with musician husband Jesse Wood.
She said: “We recently painted our hallway walls and ceiling lilac with dark blue skirting. I learned the ceiling trick on the show. I had never even thought about ceilings until I started filming this programme. It’s the fifth wall, don’t you know.”
Fearne, if you have any time on your hands, my flat could do with a refurb . . .
Foodies so saucy
UNDER normal circumstances a Channel 4 show inspired by food porn would conjure all sorts of saucy images – but Crazy Delicious is definitely more culinary than carnal.
The adventurous six-part competition – a joint venture with Netflix – is set in an enchanted garden with edible trees and a drinkable brook.
It draws on the online phenomenon of #FoodPorn, where sensational images of cuisine leave social media users foaming at the mouth.
The idea of the show is to make us more imaginative with what dishes we rustle up.
Each week cooks will work their magic with everyday ingredients, some of which are in the garden, to create the likes of unicorn noodles.
Sounds legendary.
bizbit
BBC Radio 4 podcast Evil Genius with Russell Kane will return for a third run in September, delving into the history of some of the world’s biggest cultural icons. The series kicks off with five episodes recorded live at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Gordon's a dish
GORDON Ramsay had a hairy moment when he ended up in Hawaii as part of his National Geographic programme, Uncharted.
While exploring local cuisine for the travelogue and cookery show, he took a dip in the Pacific island’s shark-infested waters.
Gobby Gordon said: “I’ve heard sharks can sense fear. Right now, I must be lit up like a neon sign at a roadside diner.”
I bet he still had the more terrifying mouth.
Chelle's Brassy in Brassic
MICHELLE Keegan isn’t as sweet and ladylike as she appears, according to her Brassic co-stars.
The former Corrie actress plays working class mum Erin in the Sky1 comedy – and is the crudest on the cast WhatsApp group.
In an exclusive interview, This Is England’s Joe Gilgun, who plays Vinnie, said: “She’s an absolute sweetheart but definitely one of the lads. She can drink us all under the table.
“She can put them away. She’s a tough bird, man – like one of the lads. You don’t have to worry about her.
“We had a cast WhatsApp group and at the start the other lads were like, ‘Sh*t. Do we have to be careful here?’ because she was on it, it turns out you don’t at all – she is just as bad as we are.”
Brassic, which hits screens on August 22, will be one of Michelle’s first comedy roles after she wrapped filming on series four of Our Girl.
Michelle revealed: “I’ve never done comedy before, I’ve always done drama, so I’ve learnt that it’s something I really enjoy and now I definitely want to do more of it. It’s opened the door for me.”
The adaptable star will be doing stand-up next.
must watch
WHAT? Ross Kemp: Living With Young Carers, ITV, 7.30pm.
WHY? Ross is shocked when he accompanies a charity worker to meet kids as young as five who spend their childhood caring for sick relatives.
most read in bizarre
must watch
LIVES are on the line tonight in EMMERDALE as a factory fire breaks out, leading to an explosion.
Kerry and Amy unwittingly cause the blaze after stealing cash and disarming the CCTV system, which sparks the inferno. Unfortunately, Tracy gets trapped in the storeroom where she’s getting intimate with Billy.
Over in EASTENDERS, Adam’s double life gets the better of him when he convinces Habiba to go on a date, only to arrive home and find Honey dressed up and suggesting they go out. He’s forced to cancel his plans with Habiba, who’s left fuming and heartbroken – again.
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