ITV's reality series The Games has launched after much hype - but viewers are not impressed with the TV show even dubbing it 'Poundland Olympics'. Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoff, it features a group of celebrities competing against each other in a series of Olympian tasks.
The show, which launched on monday, May 9 and continues nightly, is a revival of a Channel 4 programme that previously aired between 2003-2006. Despite being heavily promoted by the channel, viewers quickly lost faith in the show and many switched off.
Twitter was filled with viewers slamming The Games as 'cringe' and 'self-indulgent'. The new programme features Strictly Come Dancing's Kevin Clifton, Freeze The Fear's Chelcee Grimes and Paddy McGuinness' wife Christine among the line up who all take on sports events.
Read more: How many episodes of The Games on ITV are there?
People were quick to slam the show for comparing itself to the actual Olympics. @dazlarr said: "The Games = Poundland Olympics on Black Friday" @Humpenscrump jokingly wrote that he was "gonna tell [his] kids that was the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony".
@Lee21090972 wrote: "I've been wheel chair bound for 52 years but thanks to #thegames I was able to muster up enough strength to stand up and turn the TV off."
@KatMarBax wrote: "If it's not like Squid Games it's a waste of money" @montel96_ said: "Is this show absolute trash? Yes."
Others questioned why Holly Willoughby, who can also currently be seen presenting This Morning and Freeze The Fear, was hosting this show too.
@Trish4animals said: "Oh FFS @hollywills presenting #thegames now. Can’t turn tv on without her being everywhere. Must be why she wasn’t doing her day job @thismorning. Now to get Schofield off that show"
@JohnSheppard71 asked: "Does Holly Willoughby not like her family she is on everything, poor kids #TheGames"
@TheDudleydave said: "Not yet another programme with Willoughby & Flintoff presenting?!?!?..aren’t there any new faces that deserve a chance on tv?"
The Games also sees former professional footballer and presenter Alex Scott as trackside reporter and former professional football player and presenter Chris Kamara as commentator. Whilst viewers were quick to criticize the show, the inclusion of Alex Scott was praised. @markintime said: "Only watching #TheGames for Alex Scott tbh and I'm not ashamed to say that."
The Games continues on ITV on Tuesday, May 10 at 9pm.
What did you think of the new show? The Games continues on ITV on Tuesday, May 10
