BBC axes Changing Rooms as ratings slump by 6m

LONDON – Eight-year-old BBC stalwart 'Changing Rooms' is being dropped after 6m viewers deserted the original home makeover show.

'Changing Rooms' commanded audiences of 10m viewers at the height of its popularity and spawned a succession of copycat programmes such as 'Better Homes' and 'House Doctor'. However, audiences for the last series slumped to 4m.

The show was originally fronted by Carol Smiley -- latterly Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen -- and made household names of Linda Barker and 'Handy' Andy Kane. It will draw to a close with four specials next year.

Lorraine Heggessey, the controller of BBC One, said: "Changing Rooms is a trailblazer that has influenced the way people see their homes all over Britain. We want to celebrate the end of the series before we move on to new territory."

Llewelyn-Bowen said: "I've been so enjoying it but it does feel as if 'Changing Rooms' has done the job its set out to do. It's a case of beam us up, our work on your planet is done."

'Changing Rooms' launched on BBC Two in 1996 and moved to BBC One in 1998. The format has been sold to more than 20 countries.

Heggessey will deliver a speech at the Edinburgh TV festival this weekend in which she will unveil replacement shows focusing on money and family relationships.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .

Topics

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content