Major ITV2 comedy show axed as it's branded 'tired' by bosses after seven series

05 November 2023 , 16:14

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Major ITV2 comedy show axed as it's branded 'tired' by bosses after seven series

Comedian Iain Stirling, who rose to fame as narrator on Love Island, has reportedly had his ITV2 game show CelebAbility cancelled after seven series.

The 35-year-old, who is married to former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, launched the comedy game show in 2017 with the view of bringing the Love Island audience something to watch after the main show finished. The Sun has reported that ITV2 bosses have branded the game show as "tired" and have axed the show from its schedules.

The game show saw celebrities take on members of the public in a series of challenges with Scarlett Moffatt and Stacey Solomon being staples on the show alongside Iain.

Iain Stirling's CelebAbility has been axed by ITV2 bosses (ITV)

According to The Sun, an ITV insider told them: "CelebAbility had a decent run, but ultimately the format was a bit tired and celeb panel shows can feel dated. Bosses are always keen to try new ideas and invest in fresh telly projects, it’s time for a change and Iain isn’t short of work.”

An ITV spokesman confirmed the nail in the coffin for CelebAbility, saying: "There are no current plans for another series." This might be music to the ears of some viewers, as a number had taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, with their feelings on the show, which backed up the feeling that there was nothing left for the show to give.

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Iain has been the narrator on Love Island since 2015 and has been a comedian since his final year at Edinburgh University, where he was studying law. In that year, Iain made the final of the Chortle Student Comedian of The Year and Paramount Funniest Student.

Iain Stirling on CelebAbility (ITV)

Speaking about getting his "dream job" as the voiceover on Love Island, Iain told Radio Times: "It’s the dream job for me, because I get the excitement of being involved in a show like Love Island, but can go to the supermarket and not be recognised – as long as I don’t say anything."

At the end of the last series of Love Island, Iain revealed in an appearance in BBC's The One Show that he had a personal connection with one of the islanders in the main villa. He said that Ouzy, who arrived from Casa Amor at the time, had helped to install Iain's auntie's kitchen when he was still working as a tradesman.

"Because he’s from Edinburgh, he did my auntie’s kitchen about three years ago. My auntie sent a photo in our family WhatsApp group and said this guy’s gorgeous, he should go on Love Island," he revealed to The One Show hosts Roman and Alex.

James Brinsford