New game show Benchmark, hosted by Paddy McGuinness, has been pulled from C4’s schedules after showing just nine of the 30 episodes that have been film.
The show was originally was planned for a six-week run in a slot that pitted it against BBC1’s top-rating quiz show Pointless, which regularly pulls in 3million viewers.
According to Mirror Online, network chiefs at C4 have taken it out of the schedules because of low ratings and a poor reception.
Although it’s not clear if the remaining episodes will be shown, the chances of a second series don’t look good. The channel not only hoped that it would rival Pointless but would mirror the success of C4’s own long-running ratings hit Deal Or No Deal.
“Channel 4 had high hopes for Benchmark,” a source told Mirror Online. “It was seen as a show which could run for ages and be their own version of Pointless.”
“It was a brave move pitting it against the might of Pointless and sadly, it couldn’t compete. A decision was taken to take it out of the slot and maybe bring it back at a later date.”
It will come as bad news for Paddy because this it’s the third show that’s failed to make an impression in recent months.
Bosses at ITV have axed Your Face Sounds Familiar, which Paddy co-hosted with Alesha Dixon, and Amazing Greys, which he fronted with Angela Rippon.
Still, it's not all been bad news though because Paddy won a guest role in Coronation Street.
He will be seen in six episodes of the soap as wilderness survival enthusiast Dougie who meets the Tinkers and Dobbs when they go on a camping holiday together.
“Being asked to appear in Coronation Street was a very special moment for me,” said Paddy, shortly after the news was announced. “I remember Peter [Kay] telling me how much he enjoyed his guest spot on the show and I can't wait to get started.
“It’s an iconic and much-loved show, not just in the UK but around the world. The character I'll be playing is very funny and I'm sure the Corrie fans will love him.”
