The first episode of ITV's brand new musical dating show Romeo and Duet has aired and viewers have been left less than impressed. Hosted by former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse, the series hopes to help singletons find love through song in a mix of music and romance.
The show's format sees contestants sing one song to entice a fellow singleton - who can hear but can't see them - down from a balcony, when the two will come face-to-face for the first time. For more what's on and food stories from WalesOnline, you can get our newsletter here.
The newly formed couple will then head off on a duet-date to learn a duet, before returning later in the show to perform that number in the ultimate romantic love battle; a singing competition against the other couples to be crowned the winners. The crowd’s chosen couple then get whisked off for another date to see if their love blossoms.
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The first show of the brand new series was won by couple Daniel and Laura who were deemed to be the best match after impressing with their duet performance of Meant to Be by Bebe Rexha. There were also appearances by contestants from Swansea and Cardiff, with the latter appearing after surviving a life threatening stroke.
However, viewers were left thoroughly unimpressed by the new show, with some labelling it the "worst Saturday night show in years". Many took to Twitter within minutes of the show starting to voice their disapproval.
"This Romeo and Duet show is absolutely shocking. The cringe is beyond belief," wrote one, with another viewer asking: "What a load of utter crap, who the hell allowed this rubbish to be televised?" "This has to be an all-time low for a Saturday night TV programme," added another. "Romeo and Duet is shockingly s***".
One viewer wrote: "I know I like a cheesy show but Romeo and Duet was not good," while another added: "Wasted an hour of my life watching that Romeo and Duet show". Others were really not pleased with what they saw, with one person writing: "That Romeo & Duet s**** on ITV right now has to be one of the worst ever programs ever broadcast on a Saturday evening! Whoever commissioned that needs sacked immediately. Please don't put that program on ever again, please for the love of all humanity!"
With singletons advised on whether they should walk down the stairs and match with hopeful singers by friends and family signalling from the audience, many viewers questioned what the show's format was trying to achieve. Some even argued that despite the show trying to prove that love is blind, contestants were encouraged to match with people who they were likely to find physically attractive, rather than who they thought had the best voice.
"Romeo and Duet, what absolute nonsense have u got on my TV?" asked one. "Audience nodding and shaking their heads so basically not picked on voice or song choice at all." Another added: "Romeo and Duet is a interesting premise but the person picking the singer is just going by what signals their friends and family are giving them in the audience, rather than going on instinct."
Strictly fans who were excited to watch two-time glitterball champion Oti in her first presenting role after quitting the ballroom dancing show were also left disappointed. "I had high hopes for this because I love Oti," wrote one. "But she really should’ve said no to this show. "I love Oti but not even she can save this," added another. "Not sure if normal TV has gotten worse or I've just aged out of it."
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