ITV axes star-studded reality show after just one series as it suffers ratings flop
ITVBe’s Drama Queens has been axed, the Sun can reveal.
The eight-part reality series launched last summer and followed female soap stars, including Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach, 23, Coronation Street‘s Lucy Fallon, 28 and Brooke Vincent, 32, and Hollyoaks‘ Jorgie Porter, 36, and Jamelia, 43.
But ITV bosses have decided to bring back the show, which was produced by Towie and Celebs Go Dating makers Lime Pictures, after it failed to pull in viewers.
A telly source said: “Drama Queens was launched amid a lot of excitement and fanfare, but proved logistically quite difficult and expensive to make.
“Luring the talent to open up about their personal lives was costly and they all had busy filming schedules for their various acting jobs and family commitments.
“Plus the soap fanbase didn’t translate to automatic audiences as reality viewers tend to be quite a younger demographic.
“In the end producers decided it was best to leave it as a one off series and focus on new projects and trial new formats.”
AnITV spokesman said: “There are no current plans for a second series of Drama Queens but the first series is available for viewers to enjoy on ITVX, and we wouldn’t rule out revisiting the show in the future.”
The show’s run was befitting of its name as there were tears galore.
Emmerdale’s Laura Norton broke down over experiencing mum guilt while Strictly champ Ellie sobbed over her cheating ex-boyfriend.
Jorgie Porter clashed with her fiancé over the logistics of child care while Amy Walsh admitted she and husband Toby Alexander-Smith had to turn an episode of Emmerdale off in which she kissed two co-stars.
She said: “Me and Toby had literally just come back from our honeymoon, and it was a bit cringe watching it with him to be honest.
“We had to turn it off!
“Some days I will come back from work and kiss him hello and then go: ‘I’ve literally just been kissing Jurell I’ve not even washed my face!’
“And he would be like: ‘Great, thanks!’
“It is a weird, weird job when you think about that. So weird!”