BBC Two's brand new series, The Big Deal hosted by Steph McGovern, has been plunged into chaos as contestants clashed on air during the latest episode.
Former BBC Breakfast host Steph McGovern has returned to television screens for the BBC series that is set to rival The Apprentice. The Big Deal with Steph McGovern follows seven trainee art dealers from around the UK who are putting their creativity, negotiating and profit-making skills to the test as they battle it out to win a piece of art worth a staggering amount.
Contestants Clash Over Art Choices
Airing new episodes every Thursday at 8pm on BBC Two, tonight's instalment (Thursday, August 20) follows the six remaining amateur pairs who are split into two teams and challenged to sell contemporary art to furnish multi-million pound homes.
A synopsis read: "Host Steph McGovern and series mentor Cordelia de Freitas are joined by Peter Staunton, an award-winning luxury interior designer who is on hand to tell the dealers about his clients’ tastes, as well as sharing tips and tricks when it comes to investing in art for the home."
The dealers had a limited time to hunt for the best works before pitching their ideas directly to the homeowners - those with the lowest amount of commission would face elimination. It was not long before tensions started to rise as the show was plunged into chaos. The teams were split into two larger groups, with opinions regularly clashing between Daisy and Darren.
Divide Emerges Among Teams
Later, series mentor and art dealer Cordelia de Freitas and Peter Staunton met up with the teams to see what artwork they had bought. Despite a brief of a bronze sculpture, Daisy and Rebecca returned with two blue pieces as Cordelia said "talk about that" when it came to discussing the artist. However, Daisy replied: "But guys, we're not pitching to you right now", as Cordelia added: "We're here to help." Daisy went on to say: "No, no it's been a long day trust me, we can turn it on tomorrow."
Speaking to cameras, team member Darren admitted: "Would I have picked those blue whatever they were? No absolutely not." Darren and Graham and Daisy and Rebecca clashed again later on the show when they butted heads choosing a sculpture design to pitch. When Darren said they would get to the story behind their chosen design, Rebecca hit back: "Is there much point if we're not going to pitch it", to which Daisy stated: "Mum just leave it."
Co-Stars React to Tensions
Clashing on their opinions, the group continued to talk over one another as their co-stars looked on from the sidelines. Deborah and Rebeckah told cameras: "I had to clock out because I found it distasteful and I'm not here to disgrace myself so I wanted to step out of it."
Also speaking to producers, Darren said: "There's definitely a divide there but again, this comes down to personality and taste. We're not always going to like what other people like and they aren't going to like what we like." The Big Deal with Steph McGovern airs every Thursday at 8pm on BBC Two.
