Another BBC gameshow is on the chopping block after the broadcaster cancelled an edition of University Challenge.
Unbeatable, starring comedian Jason Manford, 42, is wrapping up after two seasons.
The series, which debuted in 2021, challenges users to answer a question from a list of six rankable responses in the hopes of finding the unbeatable one and winning £1,000.
However, the BBC has opted not to renew Unbeatable for a third season in order to free up finances for more original material.
A BBC spokesperson told TVZoneUK: ‘Unbeatable had two great series but we need to make room for new opportunities.
‘We’d like to thank Jason and the team for all their hard work.’
The decision follows the Beeb’s suspension of the Christmas University Challenge programme after being accused of ‘ableism’ by two candidates who had reported disability to producers before to the event saying it was not accessible to them.
According to BBC News, one contestant on the episode – filmed in November – is blind, while the other is neurodivergent.
Despite guarantees, audio description was not supplied, and a request for subtitles for the neurodivergent candidate was refused.
The impacted candidates went on to complain to the BBC and urge that the programme not be aired, with one claiming they would ‘prefer not to have the manifestation of my disability broadcast.’
Approached for comment, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that an episode in the upcoming series of Alumni University Challenge will not be broadcast because two of the contestants felt their access requirements were not sufficiently met by the production.
‘We are working closely with producers to improve cross industry access … our programmes to ensure a consistent approach is implemented.
‘We would like to apologise to the individuals and teams concerned, and they have been written to personally by the producers.’
Production company Lifted Entertainment said: ‘During the pre-filming briefing for this episode, two contestants requested that certain adjustments be made in order for them to be able to fully participate.
‘However, following the recording, we were made aware that the adjustments made fell short of their requirements. We have spoken to the individuals involved and offered our sincere apologies.
‘Having listened very carefully to their descriptions of their experiences, we agreed with the BBC that the fairest course of action was not to screen this particular edition.’
The BBC is not the only broadcaster to have made recent layoffs; ITV has also dropped two celebrity-fronted game programmes.
In October, it was revealed that the network has chosen to remove Sitting On A Fortune, hosted by Gary Lineker, 62, and Moneyball, hosted by Ian Wright, 59, from their schedule.
Unbeatable is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
