Veteran presenter, Graham Norton, has been part of the BBC for years, but then he decided to launch his new show The Neighbourhood on rival channel, ITV
09:25, 03 May 2026Updated 09:26, 03 May 2026
ITV’s bid to try and poach Graham Norton away from the BBC has backfired, according to reports(Image: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
ITV’s bid to try and poach Graham Norton away from the BBC has backfired, according to reports. The veteran presenter, 63, has worked with the Beeb for decades, but this year he decided to launch his new show, The Neighbourhood, on rival channel, ITV.
The reality show, in which families battle it out to avoid being voted out of a street they’ve moved into, was given a primetime slot for its preview during the final of the I’m A Celebrity: All Stars final.
However, by episode three, ratings have reportedly fallen to just 500,000 viewers, with one source branding the offering a “bit of a damp squib”.
Veteran presenter, Graham Norton, has been part of the BBC for years(Image: PA)
Talking to The Sun, claiming the viewing figures may jeopardise ITV convincing Graham to make a permanent move to the channel, they said: ” ‘It would be a huge coup to tempt Graham away from the BBC with a long-term project.
“They threw everything at The Neighbourhood to make it a big success, but it’s ended up a bit of a damp squib.”
The Neighbourhood is a brand new format which sees families and households compete in a street-sized popularity contest, battling it out for a chance to take home a life-changing cash prize of £250,000.
The 11-part ITV series turns everyday life into a giant gameshow, which claims to be authentic, immersive and rooted in real relationships.
Speaking about his the role, BAFTA award-winning broadcaster Graham explained: “One of the loveliest things about the show is seeing households who would never meet in real life, not only meeting but forming proper bonds of friendship.
“There are a few moments in the show that really do bring a tear to my eye because it’s just so genuine, so lovely and properly heartwarming.
Fans were divided over the series(Image: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
“It’s such an odd word to describe a show like this but it’s properly wholesome. There’s something about the bright colours, being out in the countryside and the genuine bonds that you see created.”
Unsurprisingly, the programme has divided fans. One viewer wrote on X: “Oh my goodness it was dreadful. I have a huge capacity for ‘drivel’ TV but I couldn’t stay with this after 15 minutes. Awful TV.”
Meanwhile another accused ITV of trying to copy The Traitors, posting: “Seems like ITV is trying desperately to make a show that will have the success The Traitors has’; ‘Turned it off, the biggest load of rubbish’; ‘I turned it off after 10 minutes.”
However, others loved the show with one asking: “Am I the only person who’s loving #TheNeighbourhood?” as another shared: “I actually really like all the families. This is the type of normal people we want cast on Big Brother.”
Meanwhile a social media viewer mused: “#Theneighbourhood is gooood, better than Britain’s Got Talent. I would put The Neighbourhood on primetime on Saturday [sic]..”
The Mirror has contacted ITV and Graham’s rep for comment.
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