The BBC has officially cancelled its high-profile reboot of Survivor, despite investing £30 million in the series. The decision marks one of the most expensive flops in British television history, with the show failing to capture audience interest.
The rebooted series aired last October in a coveted Saturday night slot after Strictly Come Dancing, hosted by Joel Dommett. However, it drew an average audience of just 2.6 million viewers, well below expectations.
Dommett expressed shock at the cancellation, telling The Sun: 'It just shows you how nothing is a given in telly. I thought Survivor would be huge. I thought that would be my job for the next 20 years.'
The format, which sees contestants marooned in a remote location competing in physical and mental challenges, has been a global hit for decades, particularly in the US where it has run for 25 years. However, British audiences have failed to engage with the show both in its original 2001 ITV run and now.
Viewers criticised the reboot as 'boring' and poorly suited to BBC One's Saturday night schedule. The BBC quietly paused applications for a second series in February 2024, and insiders have now confirmed the axe has fallen, with one source calling it 'TV's most expensive flop ever'.
Despite this setback, Dommett remains a sought-after presenter, set to host the National Television Awards and a new reality show, Celebrity Sabotage.
