Reality series “Survivor UK” has reportedly been discontinued by the BBC after its recent return failed to capture the interest of viewers. The show, which aired on BBC One, struggled in the ratings, averaging a modest audience of around 2.5 million viewers during its Saturday night slot.
The UK version of Survivor, which ran in the early 2000s was initially cancelled by ITV after the second season due to low ratings. Since 2017, there has been speculation about a revival of the series.
The BBC announced the revival of the series in 2022, with the first episode airing on 28 October 2023. However, the show was shelved by the BBC in early 2024, with a view to a possible return in 2025.
The show’s initial failure has been attributed to its pre-recorded format, which meant that viewers had no say in the events of the series.
Despite initial plans for a second series and open casting calls, the Daily Mail has revealed that there will be no further seasons. A source told the newspaper that the show’s performance was disappointing, despite efforts to revive its format.
Host Joel Dommett had expressed his enthusiasm for a potential new season, stating his desire to make some changes and his optimism about the audience’s positive response. However, these plans seem unlikely to materialise as “Survivor UK” faces discontinuation.
The first series of “Survivor UK” took place in the scenic Dominican Republic, with participants enduring challenges and living off the land. Matthew Haywood won the UK version of Survivor, taking home a prize of £100,000. Haywood, a 21-year-old hospitality worker from Cumbria, said that winning Survivor was the “best moment” of his “entire life”. He added: “I outwitted, outplayed and outlasted 17 other players by playing the social game perfectly”. Haywood defeated Christopher Haul and Leilani Sen in a 6-1-1 jury vote.
