The highly anticipated UK debut of the international game show format The Floor on ITV has sparked a wave of mixed reactions from viewers, with a significant number voicing criticism just minutes into the first episode.
A Rocky Start for the New Quiz Show
Hosted by the beloved actor and comedian Rob Brydon, the show made its British premiere on Sunday night, January 4. The premise sees 81 contestants standing on a giant grid, each an expert in a unique category, competing for a £50,000 jackpot. Players are randomly selected to challenge a neighbour in a rapid-fire trivia duel based on the opponent's specialist subject.
The winner takes over the loser's territory on the floor, with the ultimate goal of conquering the entire board. The first episode, which spanned multiple weeks of gameplay, narrowed the field down to 73 contestants. A player named Steff won a £5,000 bonus for claiming the most squares.
Viewer Backlash on Social Media
Despite the show's success abroad, many UK viewers took to social media platform X to express their disappointment. A common complaint centred on the show's pacing and perceived lack of excitement.
One viewer wrote, 'The Floor is a bit tedious, even after only 30 mins. Not sure even Rob Brydon can save this from being a very forgettable show.' Another was more blunt, commenting, 'More like The Bore... The game itself is so repetitive and dull.'
A third criticised the question style, stating, 'So questions are too hard for us now are there? Picture rounds for every round?! What a weird game.'
Praise and International Pedigree
However, the reaction was not universally negative. Other audience members found the format engaging and interactive. 'Absolutely loving The Floor!! It would make such a good board game!' one fan exclaimed. Another agreed, 'Loving this new game show. Easy to play at home.'
A third praised the adaptation and host, saying, 'The UK version of The Floor's delivered everything I hoped for and more and Rob is a great choice, as expected.' They did, however, join others in feeling the £50,000 prize seemed somewhat 'stingy' for the scale of the competition.
Rob Brydon himself had previously expressed his enthusiasm for the project, calling it 'a quiz show like no other - big, bold and bursting with excitement.'
The format, originally created in the Netherlands, is already a proven hit in countries including Australia, Poland, and Spain. The US version, fronted by actor Rob Lowe, launched its fourth season on Fox in September 2025 and has been renewed through to 2027. Ahead of the UK launch, ITV's Director of Entertainment, Katie Rawcliffe, described the show as 'an excellent addition to our roster of popular quiz shows.'
Whether The Floor can overcome its shaky start and win over the British public remains to be seen as the series continues.
