Changing Rooms reboot ‘AXED after two series by Channel 4’ due to ‘mediocre ratings’ despite being a runaway success in the 1990s

Changing Rooms is being axed by Channel 4 after just two rebooted series amid declining ratings, it has been claimed.

The home decorations show returned for two series last year after its resounding success on the BBC in the 90s.

However, it failed to impress television bosses when the hoped for number of viewers failed to tune in, according to The Sun. 

Make-under? Changing Rooms is being axed by Channel 4 after just two rebooted series amid declining ratings, it has been claimed (presenters Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Anna Richardson pictured)

A TV source told the publication: ‘Changing Rooms has been axed by Channel 4 and won’t be back for a third series.

‘It is a blow for everyone who worked on the reboot. A lot of passion went into making the first two series but it wasn’t to be.

‘The ratings were mediocre and while the show was fun and upbeat, it didn’t seem to capture the public in the way it used to.

Comeback: The home decorations show returned for two series last year after its resounding success on the BBC in the 90s [pictured is one of the makeovers]

A spokesperson for the broadcaster confirmed to The Sun the show would not be returning.  

They said in a statement: ‘Laurence will be back later this year in Outrageous Homes with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, so he won’t be off our screens for long.

‘We are extremely proud of our reboot of Changing Rooms and would like to thank everyone involved with the series.’

MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for further comment.

Back then: Notably, original host Carol Smilie wasn’t asked back – and even took to social media to like a series of fans’ tweets lamenting her absence from the reboot [pictured in 2000]

The first episode of the reboot series pulled in just 1.3million viewers – down from 11million in its heyday. 

The show regularly drew in audiences of 11 million and hit a ratings high in December 1999, when it attracted almost 12 million viewers.

The show returned to screens last summer, with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen fronting the show alongside Anna Richardson.

Notably, original host Carol Smilie wasn’t asked back – and even took to social media to like a series of fans’ tweets lamenting her absence from the reboot.  

Nasty! Carol’s original co-star Laurence expressed relief that Carol was not taking part

After the show aired in August, the Scottish star, 59, took to Twitter to like messages from fans who admitted it was ‘a pity’ she was not appearing on the show, while she also highlighted a message from Anna, who called her ‘an icon and mentor’.

Carol presented the hugely popular show from 1996 until 2003, while Laurence graduated from designer to host until the programme’s end in 2004. He is the only cast member who has been asked to return. 

The tweets from fans read: ‘Hi @carolsmillie1 you were very good in the show its a pity your not doing it xx… Don’t know but I’m upset @carolsmillie1 wasn’t on there’.  

She also liked an incredibly supportive message from new host Anna reading: ‘Carol is my icon and mentor!!! Brilliant presenter.’

Laurence spoke to The Sun about the prospect of Carol’s return ahead of the show’s relaunch.

Liking away: After the show aired, the Carol, 59, took to Twitter to like messages from fans who admitted it was ‘a pity’ she was not appearing on the show, while she also highlighted a message from Anna, who called her ‘an icon and mentor’

When asked if he would like her to return, the flamboyant star said: ‘No, and hand on heart, what the producers and what Channel 4 have done is actually very clever…

‘They have moved on and it wouldn’t have worked if it had been Jurassic Park — it had to be a reinvention. And to be fair, I resisted it for a long time. I was very keen that they really should look at finding possibilities with other people.

‘Otherwise, it would just be a revival, actually it always needed to be a reboot.’

Now: Carol presented the hugely popular show from 1996 until 2003, while Laurence graduated from designer to host until the programme’s end in 2004. He is the only cast member who has been asked to return [Carol is pictured in June]

Back then: In August 2021, Carol said she’d be open to returning to Changing Rooms, telling The Sun : ‘It was definitely the favourite show of my career, without a doubt. It would be the only show I’d come back to telly for’ (the team pictured in the show’s heyday) 

In August 2021 Carol said she’d be open to returning to Changing Rooms, telling The Sun: ‘It was definitely the favourite show of my career, without a doubt. It would be the only show I’d come back to telly for.’ 

In a 2017 interview for the Daily Mail’s Weekend Magazine, Scottish TV personality Carol described the show as ‘the best TV experience of [her] career’. 

She said: ‘In 1996 I was the original presenter of BBC2’s Changing Rooms – it was one of the first reality shows and is credited with starting the DIY craze of the late ’90s.

‘It was the best TV experience of my career – we were a happy bunch who went into it naively but came out the other end as household names with a BAFTA nomination and invitations to both Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.

‘It was the stuff of dreams, and all from watching paint dry!’ 

Wanted: The show regularly drew in audiences of 11 million and hit a ratings high in December 1999, when it attracted almost 12 million viewers

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