ITV's Celebrity Sabotage Premieres to Mixed Reactions from Viewers
ITV viewers voiced a wave of complaints shortly after the debut of the new reality series Celebrity Sabotage on Saturday night. The show, which premiered on ITV1, features celebrities secretly sabotaging unsuspecting contestants who believe they are participating in various reality programs.
Show Premise and Celebrity Involvement
Hosted by Joel Dommett, Judi Love, Sam Thompson, and GK Barry, Celebrity Sabotage involves these celebrities disrupting ordinary people's activities with the goal of winning them money. In each episode, contestants arrive thinking they are on a new ITV show, unaware that celebrity saboteurs are monitoring their every move from a high-tech Mission HQ and executing sabotage missions.
The fake shows are fronted by stars such as Emma and Matt Willis, Sara Davies, and Clare Balding, with additional celebrities joining to assist in the sabotaging efforts. The first episode, which aired on March 21, focused on a group of business enthusiasts undergoing challenges under the guidance of entrepreneur Sara Davies from Dragons' Den.
Viewer Complaints and Criticism
Many ITV viewers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the show's concept. One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) described it as 'as much fun as having a toothache' and criticized ITV for producing what they called rubbish content. Another questioned how such programs get commissioned, labeling it 'utter rubbish', while a third bluntly called it a 's*** show'.
Further complaints included comparisons to children's television, with one fan suggesting the show might be better suited for a Sunday afternoon slot. Despite the negative feedback, some viewers appreciated the lighthearted and silly nature of the series.
Positive Reactions and Show Highlights
Not all feedback was critical; some viewers enjoyed the humor and cast dynamics. One person praised the show for its great cast and the parody-like fake shows, stating they would definitely watch again. Others found the childish antics entertaining, calling it perfect for Saturday night television and highlighting Judi Love's laughter as a standout moment.
In the debut episode, comedian Jo Brand joined the saboteurs in disrupting activities such as wedding video filming and a wellness face mask session, using green food coloring for sabotage. After two days, the contestants discovered the celebrities' tricks and shared a prize of £29,000.
Celebrity Sabotage is available for streaming on ITVX, offering viewers a chance to judge the controversial new series for themselves.
