Channel 4 has axed TV show Host The Week after Scarlett Moffatt’s presenting stint was slammed as “unwatchable”.
The unscripted and unrehearsed entertainment show made its debut last week with Moffatt taking part in a number of sketches.
But the show only attracted 470,000 viewers and was criticised as “unwatchable” by parts of the audience.
Comedian Jack Whitehall had signed up to host the second episode, but a Channel 4 spokeswoman said this had now been cancelled.
“We’re brave enough to take risks with innovative programme ideas but also to acknowledge they don’t all work and move on,” she said.
Ex-Gogglebox and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Moffatt met her childhood crush, Blue singer Duncan James, when she hosted the show and was joined by her parents.
She also took part in a sketch as a Channel 4 News presenter, meeting Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
But viewers – including Rory Bremner – were unimpressed.
“Really, C4? Really? If we want to see a well known woman struggle with no script, no rehearsal and no idea, we watch the news”, Bremner wrote.
“Though Scarlett is undeniably more likeable. Luckily.”
Really, C4? Really? If we want to see a well known woman struggle with no script, no rehearsal and no idea, we watch the news. #HostTheWeek
— Rory Bremner (@rorybremner) June 22, 2017
Though Scarlett is undeniably more likeable. Luckily. #Hosttheweek
— Rory Bremner (@rorybremner) June 22, 2017
Normally a fan of channel 4 but host the week is enough to put me off tv forever..
— Andy Harding (@itsAPH) June 22, 2017
Why is it called Host the Week? It should just be called Host The Hour. Or it should just be cancelled actually. #hosttheweek
— Amy Gould (@Amyshamblesx) June 22, 2017
It comes after ITV’s new format The Nightly Show got off to a wobbly start and attracted just one million viewers for its final episode.