Challenge Anneka has been ditched from Channel 5’s weekend schedule, after only the second episode.
The rebooted series stars original host Anneka Rice and is based on the 1980s Channel 4 gameshow Treasure Hunt, which the broadcaster also presented.
Challenge Anneka ran for six series from 1989 to 1995, before returning to Channel 5 this month.
Each episode saw Rice search for a charitable project while encouraging other volunteers to join against the clock.
The reboot has failed to gain the popularity of the original series, which drew 12 million viewers during its peak, after only 1.25 million tuned in to watch the first two episodes.
Rice has shared her response to news of the show’s cancellation on Twitter.
The host wrote: “Thanks if you’ve watched so far! We always knew we were on a ‘floating schedule’ so might be bumped off at any moment.
Thanks if you’ve watched so far! We always knew we were on a “floating schedule” so might be bumped off at any moment. We’ll keep you posted.The main thing for me is the projects are all up and running and I love & salute our army of volunteers who made this possible.Thank you 💙 pic.twitter.com/jctzTWbwap
— Anneka Rice (@AnnekaRice) March 28, 2023
“We’ll keep you posted. The main thing for me is the projects are all up and running and I love & salute our army of volunteers who made this possible. Thank you”.
Rice shared her hope for the show to continue elsewhere as she added: “We’ve got 24 hours to find a new home. #ChallengeAnneka”,
Addressing the rescheduling, a spokesperson for Channel 5 said: “The first episode of Challenge Anneka was enjoyed by 1.25 million / 10% viewers, but Saturday evenings are always highly competitive, especially at this time of year.
“The public and critical reaction to Challenge Anneka’s return has been amazing and we have decided to preserve the remaining two shows and reschedule them soon.”
Fans have deemed Channel 5’s decision to axe the show “disappointing” after enjoying the series’ opening episodes.
Rice previously revealed that she’d been approached for a reboot of Challenge Anneka several times and ended up going with Channel 5 as they didn’t want to change the original concept of the series.
She said: “Apart from a satnav in the buggy, and our wonderful production team being able to access people online, rather than sifting through Yellow Pages, viewers will find it weirdly similar.
“At the end of the day, it’s a programme about communities and volunteers. The programme shines a spotlight on the disenfranchised and harnesses the power of television as a force for good.”
Rice added: “[The show is] so much part of my life, off screen, it never goes away.”
