Alison Hammond's Channel 4 program, "Your Song," is reportedly on the verge of being axed after only one season, with sources citing viewer complaints and low viewing figures.
The show, which featured ordinary people performing personal songs on a pop-up stage with mentors like Sam Ryder and Paloma Faith, concluded its initial run in May. However, bosses are now said to be considering shelving the program due to performance concerns. The series premiere attracted 755,000 viewers, but numbers reportedly fell to 380,000 by the final episode.
A TV insider told The Sun that while no official decision has been made, discussions about the show not returning for a second series are underway. The cost of production versus the ratings achieved is a significant factor, with the show not delivering the expected return on investment.
"Your Song" also faced criticism from viewers who noted similarities to Channel 4's successful series "The Piano." That show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, also features amateur musicians performing on a piano, often in public spaces.
Viewers took to social media platform X to voice their opinions. One commented, "So new #YourSong is just the amazing #Piano series but without the piano???" Another wrote, "This is giving a cross between The Voice and the Piano. #YourSong."
Despite the criticisms, some viewers expressed enjoyment. "What a performance from Elliott," one viewer shared, while another commented, "The singers on this are quite good tbf."
Christopher Stevens, a TV critic for the Daily Mail, awarded "Your Song" a two-star review, suggesting the format was unlikely to resonate positively with audiences or performers. He highlighted that unlike "The Piano," which featured spontaneous performances in locations like railway stations, "Your Song" lacked a similar element of surprise.
This potential axing follows reports that Hammond's BBC One show, "Big Weekender," was also "shelved" earlier this year.
Hammond continues to maintain a busy schedule, fronting ITV's "This Morning" and other programs including "For the Love of Dogs," "Great British Bake Off," and "Name That Tune."