Gordon Ramsay’s Bank Balance began on BBC two weeks ago as the TV chef hosted a brand new game show where contestants must answer quiz questions and balance blocks on a floating podium.
There is a whopping top cash prize of £100,000 in the show, which drew comparisons to Channel 4’s Million Pound Drop.
But the programme’s future is left uncertain as the BBC are considering canning it after just one series, according to the Daily Star.
Despite its prime slot of 9pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, ratings for the show have been declining since it’s first episode.
More than 2.9million tuned in to watch the first episode on 24th February, but that dropped to 1.5million after two days.
(Image: BBC/Studio Ramsay/Mark Johnson)
A source told the Daily Star: “Bank Balance has been an unmitigated disaster. Gordon is having a nightmare that’s worse than anything he’s dealt with in the kitchen. His attempt at a new career has fallen flat.
“The top brass at the BBC are already saying they don’t know if they want to commit to a second series. Its future is hanging in the balance.
“The BBC splashed the cash to make Bank Balance work, but it just isn’t popular. Its viewing figures are well below the average for its slot on BBC One.”
(Image: BBC/Studio Ramsay/Justin Mandel)
The current series is scheduled to finish on Friday, and a decision over whether or not the show will be renewed is yet to take place.
A spokesperson said: “It’s still on air with another week to go, so there is obviously no decision yet.”
Gordon Ramsey’s Bank Balance returns on Saturday for a special episode with Gino D’Acampo and his son Luci competing to win prize money for charity.
(Image: BBC/Studio Ramsay/Justin Mandel)
On Thursday’s instalment, viewers were left shouting at their TVs after a pair of contestants mistook Africa for a country.
Caroline and Andrew from Kent struggled to find the right answers after being asked to name three countries where tigers are native species.
Andrew guessed Africa, but Caroline wasn’t sure, asking him: “Africa? Tigers in Africa?”
They put forward India as their first answer, but kept coming back to Africa – forcing Gordon, 54, to step in and explain to them that Africa is a continent not a country.
The presenter told them: “Africa is not a country, it is a continent and they don’t have tigers there.”
Viewers couldn’t believe it, and took to Twitter to express their thoughts, with one joking: “Africa a country what a Wally eh Gordon.”
Another wrote: “Africa is a COUNTRY! Fun fact, #Lions#Tigers & #Bears are all on different continents! #bankbalance.”
* Gordon Ramsey’s Bank Balance airs Saturday on BBC One at 6pm
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/gordon-ramsays-bank-balance-may-23709660