28 March 2023 , 15:21
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Challenge Anneka has been pulled from Channel 5 this weekend after just two episodes.
The reboot, starring Anneka Rice, 64, sees the star recycling her old jumpsuits and returning to the iconic role, however the second episode pulled in less than half a million viewers.
In response to the rescheduling, a spokesperson for Channel 5 said: “The first episode of Challenge Anneka was enjoyed by 1.25 million / 10% viewers, but Saturday evenings are always highly competitive, especially at this time of year.
"The public and critical reaction to Challenge Anneka’s return has been amazing and we have decided to preserve the remaining two shows and reschedule them soon.“
The original Challenge Anneka, which aired on BBC1 for six series from 1989 to 1995, had a peak of 12 million viewers.
Anneka Rice recycles her old jumpsuits as she returns to iconic TV action role
It was based on Treasure Hunt, an earlier Channel 4 show when Anneka would arrive by helicopter.
Challenge Anneka has been pulled from Channel 5 this weekend after just two episodesThis reboot retains some of its 90s charm as the bubbly blonde, usually running around with a camera crew, tries to finish a charitable project against the clock by persuading good-willed souls to chip in.
“I’m just going to hit the phones,” Anneka said, cracking on in the first episode.
However, not everyone remembers who she is.
“I’m Anneka Rice from the Challenge Anneka show, are you familiar with it? No? Is there anyone there a bit older?”, she asks optimistically.
Anneka revealed many TV companies have discussed reboots in the past, including a false start on ITV in 2006 after two specials.
Channel 5 defended the show's ratings (Channel 5)She said she was attracted to Channel 5's version because they didn't want to tinker with the concept.
“Apart from a satnav in the buggy, and our wonderful production team being able to access people online, rather than sifting through Yellow Pages, viewers will find it weirdly similar," Anneka explained.
“People still use paintbrushes and you still have to wait for plaster to dry.
“At the end of the day, it’s a programme about communities and volunteers.
'Real challenge for Anneka Rice was playing playing catch-up on this dated show'
“The programme shines a spotlight on the disenfranchised and harnesses the power of television as a force for good.”
It was a huge hit in the ninetiesSpeaking about her tenure on the show in the nineties, she continued: "It is so much part of my life, off screen, it never goes away. The brand is really strong so, for example, when my waxwork hung in Madame Tussauds, I was hanging off a winch in a jumpsuit in the foyer."
Anneka has yet to comment on the decision to remove the series from Channel 5's schedule.
This Saturday, the broadcaster will now air Royal documentaries instead. Zara & Mike: The People's Royals will air at 8:30pm, with a repeat of Fergie & Meghan: Inconvenient Royals at 9:30pm.