Channel 4 has made decisions regarding the future of two of its prominent entertainment programs from the previous year. Paddy McGuinness’s adventure reality series, Tempting Fortune, will continue for another season, bringing positive news. However, Danny Dyer’s show, Scared of the Dark, has been discontinued, bringing disappointment to its fans. Following months of speculation about which high-profile 2023 launches would receive a second season, Deadline confirmed the news on Tuesday (April 23). In Scared of the Dark, eight celebrities were pushed to their limits in a bunker, enduring eating, sleeping, and surviving in complete darkness for eight days. Challenges along the way offered rewards for success and increased difficulty for failure. A psychologist provided expert commentary on the celebrities’ well-being throughout the experience. Celebrities could voluntarily withdraw from the competition by admitting their fear of the dark. Participants in the first (and only) season included boxing champion Nicola Adams, Love Island star Chloe Burrows, former boxer Chris Eubank, The Wanted’s Max George, and comedian Chris McCausland. Scarlett Moffatt of Gogglebox and comedian Donna Preston were also present. Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne emerged victorious in the final episode after a vote by the remaining celebrities. Despite attracting over a million viewers, Channel 4 has decided against renewing Scared of the Dark for another season. Paddy, the former host of Take Me Out, will be pleased as Tempting Fortune will not only continue but also expand. The second season will feature an increase from six to eight episodes, with contestants once again embarking on a tropical jungle adventure. Their mission is to resist temptations in order to win a substantial cash prize. The first season, filmed in South Africa, concluded with former professional basketball player James claiming the largest share of the £30,000 prize pot, amounting to around £22,000. The prize fund and filming location for season 2 remain unconfirmed. Tempting Fortune’s initial season attracted an average of 1.5 million viewers per episode, making it one of Channel 4’s most-watched programs among the coveted 16-34-year-old demographic, with a 91% completion rate across the series. The show’s success appears to have been driven by its performance on Channel 4’s streaming service, which proved influential in the decision to recommission it. Recent months have seen significant changes at Channel 4 following the announcement of a new five-year plan by management in January, which prioritizes streaming over traditional television. Unfortunately, some well-liked programs have been discontinued, including Greg James’s Rise and Fall. The controversial game show featured 16 ordinary people competing for power and a £100,000 prize, sharing similarities with the immensely popular BBC show The Traitors. After its cancellation, a spokesperson for the show stated: ‘Rise and Fall was a great show that we were very proud of and attracted strong audiences, but Channel 4 is all about the new and we want to make space for the next great new reality idea. ‘We would like to thank Greg and the talented team who made such a hugely fun and innovative show.’ Channel 4 has been contacted for comment.
Channel 4’s Entertainment Shows: One Returns, One Scrapped
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