BBC axe two celebrity fronted shows in ‘difficult decision’

The BBC has cut two celebrity presenter shows in what it calls a “tough decision”.

The broadcaster revealed that the move was to take place to ‘make room’ for new programmes.

Now Eat Well for Less and Shop Well for Less are dropped.

Addressing the issue of rising food prices, Eat Well for Less was hosted by Jordan Banjo and Chris Bavin and ran for eight series.

Gregg Wallace also fronted the show, but stepped down in 2021 after being inundated with several job offers.

Since his departure, Chris and Jordan have traveled across the UK meeting busy families struggling to eat well on a budget.

They watched over the course of a week what the families would buy and eat, then made suggestions on how to change their habits to be healthier, reduce food waste, save money, and enjoy conflict-free meals.

Shop Well for Less had five series and was hosted by Joanna Page and Melanie Sykes.

It followed a similar concept, except it focused on people’s shopping habits, without changing their lifestyles.

But according to TVZone, BBC bosses have made the decision to ax both shows to make way for new commissions.

A spokesperson said: ‘Sometimes we have to make tough decisions to make room for new shows and we currently have no plans to bring back Eat Well For Less or Shop Well For Less.

“We would like to thank the team at RDF West who produced both series, and hosts Chris Bavin and Jordan Banjo, and Joanna Page and Melanie Sykes, for all their hard work and enthusiasm in bringing these shows to our screens.”

It comes after it was announced earlier this month that the third episode of hit BBC drama Life on Mars has been scrapped.

While the original series, released in 2006, was a huge success, show bosses have now revealed that “financial hurdles” were too much to overcome.

The creators – Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah – released the sequel, Ashes to Ashes, in 2008 and had announced details of a sequel in 2020.

The project – called Lazarus – would tie in with the Life on Mars universe, with viewers hoping to see characters from both previous shows come together.

But despite revealing that a script for a pilot episode had been completed last year, in a statement posted to Twitter on Sunday, Matthew revealed the disappointing news that the project had stalled.

He wrote: ‘What sad news folks. After many months of planning, we are not going to make Lazarus now. I can’t go into details, but the hurdles were not financially creative.

‘Of course everyone involved is as sick as a jungle full of parrots. Not least myself and Ashley Pharoah.’

He continued, “It was a great concept – relevant to our time. It had a whole new round of things to say about the relationship between the public and the police.

And it was damn funny too. But that’s, as they say, showbiz baby. Forgive us if we don’t answer questions about the decision or what happens next for Gene, Sam and the gang.

“But we wanted to let those interested know so you can bring a pint of tan n bitter to the Guv instead.”

Co-creator Ashley added, “Really disappointing news, but we handled it well.

“We’re still thinking about a way to share the script with you or get it out in another form. See you then… pub?’

Life On Mars ran for two seasons between 2006 and 2007 before a three-series spin-off Ashes To Ashes appeared.

It followed the story of DI Sam Tyler (played by John Simm) who got into a car accident in 2006 and mysteriously went back in time to 1970s Manchester.

Meanwhile, in the sequel, Ashes to Ashes, he learns that he has a boss in the form of Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), an old school DCI.

In the three series that ran until 2010, he succeeded his chief in the force in the eighties.