The Wheel: Michael McIntyre jokes about Prince Harry

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Comedian Michael McIntyre and six celebrity experts returned to The Wheel on Saturday evening, as the BBC series made a return to screens. However, just minutes into the programme, fans took to social media to slam the shake-up in the schedule.

Viewers weren’t happy that The Wheel had been pushed forward by three hours on Saturday evenings by the BBC.

Previous instalments began at 8:30pm, and the transmission time remained the same for repeated episodes.

However, the broadcaster made a dramatic decision for the third series by airing new episodes of the series nearly three hours earlier at 5:40pm.

The earlier time could see The Wheel competing for viewers’ attention against hugely popular Saturday night shows I Can See Your Voice and Strictly Come Dancing.

Many fans weren’t happy with the new change, and have taken to social media to complain.

Phillip Nolan tweeted: “A wee reminder that the best – and sometimes cruellest – gameshow on telly, Michael McIntyre’s #TheWheel, returns for a new series on BBC One at the ridiculously early time of 5.40pm.”

@JustKeepChimmin said: “Not sure how I feel about #TheWheel being on this early.”

“Love The Wheel but 5.40 is too early to have it on,” @Noelle___G wrote.

“Only getting to watch bits while I get dinner and finish up housework before Strictly starts. Viewers will be down this series I’m sure.”

@Rhaenyras_Weave asked the BBC: “Why is #TheWheel on so early?

“Bump that #icanseeyourvoice s***e to 5.40pm and put #TheWheel back in prime time!!”

Mark Greghorn agreed, writing: “Daft time to be on 5.40. Should be on at 9pm instead of I Can Hear Your Voice rubbish.” (sic)

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@Dayjur11 fumed: “Too early for this. Scheduler should be sacked.” (sic)

The Wheel will now air just an hour before the latest series of Strictly Come Dance, so many viewers could prioritise the ballroom mainstay.

By the response of fans to the show’s return, a sizable portion of the audience clearly feels the BBC made the wrong decision by moving the series to the start of the evening.

However, this week did have some crossover appeal as former Strictly professional and current judge Anton Du Beke appeared as one of the celebrity experts.

He was representing the musicals category just two weeks after the ballroom competition had its own musical celebration of its own.

Anton was also joined by Josie Gibson, Iain Stirling, Kadeena Cox, Tony Blackburn, Nigel Ng and Emma Barnett.

In response to the earlier time slot, @sdfpk suggested: “I noticed they sometimes start shows early and then move them to a later slot as the series progresses.”

As the competition on Strictly starts to heat up over the coming weeks, The Wheel could be moved to later in the evening to provide some light relief from the high-stakes dancing series.

The Wheel airs Saturdays at 5:40pm on BBC One.

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