Stranded On Honeymoon Island: BBC axe reality dating show after one series following dismal viewing figures
The BBC has axed a dating reality show from its schedule after just one series.
Stranded On Honeymoon Island hit screens in September and followed singles as they were matched up by experts and “married” in a tropical ceremony, before being sent to live on a deserted island in the Philippines with limited resources as they navigated their new romance. If they felt that their connection wasn’t strong enough to survive the environment, they had the opportunity to ‘flare out’ and leave the island.
The show was hosted by Davina McCall, who appeared in video messages to the contestants to give them tests for their relationship before joining the island in person for the ‘final flare’ ceremony.
However, viewers didn’t seem charmed with the premise of the show, branding the show a rip-off of other popular dating shows such as Married At First Sight and Love Island.
Stranded On Honeymoon Island pulled in less than 850,000 viewers for its premiere episode in the Wednesday night 9pm slot on BBC One. Many of those who did tune in didn’t stick with the show, with this number dropping to less than 520,000 viewers by the show’s third episode.
It was eclipsed in the rating by shows such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Davina’s other series Long Lost Family, which aired in the same time slot on ITV. Its premiere episode also narrowly beat a BBC Two documentary about Nazi U-boats in viewing figures.
A source previously told The Sun: “These are abysmal viewing figures by anyone’s standards, but the fact they are for a show in a prime time slot on BBC One is beyond belief. It’s proof you have to pick the right format for the right channel.
“Trying to create something which has a flavour of Love Island, then serving it up to a traditionally mature audience, was a terrible idea. Making it worse were the huge costs involved in sending over dozens of contestants and crew to an island in the Philippines — a 13,000-mile round trip.”
It has now been confirmed by the BBC that Stranded On Honeymoon Island will not be returning for another series.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Stranded on Honeymoon Island was a compelling reality dating format and whilst there are no current plans for a further series, we are grateful to Davina McCall for being our magnificent matchmaking host, the Honeymooners for taking part and to CPL for bringing the series to screen.”