David Tennant fans wail ‘it’s such a shame’ as TV show faces huge shake-up

It’s a bad day to be a David Tennant fan as his latest show is set to undergo a dramatic shake-up. 

Genius Game, which made its debut on ITV last week, originally aired on Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm.

It’s being reported, however, that the muted reception to the first few episodes has led to a schedule change. 

Only 1.2 million viewers tuned in for the first episode (via Broadcast Now), leagues behind Race Across the World, which pulled in 3.1 million in the same timeslot on BBC 1.

According to Radio Times, this puts the show at just half the 2.2 million average for that timeslot.

ITV has confirmed that Genius Game will air only on Wednesdays over the next seven weeks, with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? celebrity specials taking the Thursday, May 8 slot.

When approached by Metro for comment, an ITV spokesperson played down the reports that low viewership had played a part in the change. 

‘Genius Game remains in the peak schedule on ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesdays and is available to view on ITVX,’ they said. 

The news has been met with exasperation from fans who don’t want to see the show, which is hosted by David Tennant, 54, fail.

‘Literally worst day ever,’ wrote Ed on X while @WhoPotterVian added, ‘It’s a shame because it has a great presenter.’

‘Ooh no, I thought it might be a grower,’ wrote Ali Green. ‘I’m really enjoying it and thought the 2nd episode was better than the 1st.’