The BBC has reportedly halved the number of episodes of Mel and Sue's new revival of The Generation Game.
The broadcaster is said to be concerned that the reboot of the iconic series won’t live up to expectations.
A source told The Sun: “The BBC had announced four programmes, but when they saw what had been taped could only realistically air two.”
It was also claimed the cost of axing the two programmes could be around £400,000.
A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed the changes but promised the show would still be 'brilliant'.
“During the production process it’s not unusual for a new series to change length as the format evolves and we’ve got a brilliant show for audiences on BBC One this spring,” they said.
It wouldn't be the first time shows fronted by Mel and Sue have struggled, after Pitch Battle, hosted by Giedroyc, was shelved after just one series and Insert Name Here, presented by Perkins, got less than a million viewers.
The pair are best-known for fronting the original series of the Great British Bake Off on the BBC and opted to remain loyal to the broadcaster and quit the show when it moved to Channel 4.
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The news comes after it was revealed that children’s TV star Basil Brush would be making his comeback on the Generation Game.
“It’s top secret at the moment. We are doing pop-ups to surprise Mel and Sue. We did one episode and he was such a success we ended up doing four,” his puppeteer Michael Winsor told The Sun.
“They want us back on Saturday nights. We want to get the family together watching again.
“We’re fed up with BGT and Pointless.”
Standard Online has contacted a representative for the BBC for comment.
The Generation Game comes to BBC One later this year.
