Gordon Ramsay’s new BBC primetime quiz show may have had its chips – after a disastrous drop in ratings.
Gordon Ramsay’s Bank Balance first aired on Wednesday with 2.7 million viewers tuning in.
But this figure had slumped to 1.6 million by Friday.
BBC bosses have taken a huge gamble with the 10-part show, putting it on in the prime 9pm slot for three nights a week.
Despite the falling ratings BBC insiders insist the 54-year-old chef appeals to younger audiences.
A source at a rival broadcaster said: “Even if they wanted to stick Ramsay in an earlier slot their hands are tied because of the swearing.
“You can’t be impressed with those numbers for 9pm on BBC1.” Last Wednesday, ITV’s 5pm show The Chase, with Bradley Walsh, pulled in 4.4 million while Danny Dyer’s The Wall on the BBC, netted around 4 million.
Mirror critic Ian Hyland said: “Apart from the prize money and the – yawn – swearing, everything about Ramsay’s vanity projectile screams daytime graveyard slot.
“Yet somehow it has been afforded a plum primetime slot.”
The biggest complaint about Gordon’s shows was that the format was far too complicated.
In the show, players answer questions to earn blocks to stack on a balancing board.
