ITV has struck gold with The Fortune Hotel – and I can reveal plans are afoot for series two before the first has even ended.
The strategic guessing game, presented by Stephen Mangan, concludes tonight after eight tense episodes, with one lucky pair leaving their luxury digs in Grenada £250,000 richer.
The programme has gained momentum throughout its run, particularly gaining traction on social media where fans have dubbed it “Fortchy Hotes” — yes, really.
It’s given the broadcaster confidence in making a sequel.
A source said: “Launching new formats is a gamble these days and an uncommonly large number have fallen by the wayside despite them showing some promise.
“Channel 4 poured huge budgets into reality shows Scared Of The Dark and Rise And Fall, for example, but couldn’t justify taking them to a second series.
“That won’t be the case for The Fortune Hotel, though. Despite a considerable spend, ITV is working on plans for round two.”
The show sees ten pairs of contestants each given a briefcase — one of which is packed with the huge prize, another contains an early checkout card, while the other eight are empty.
‘In-fighting and suspicions’
They must decide whether to keep or swap their case — and at the end of each episode, one couple has to leave.
Latest figures show that on Monday night, The Fortune Hotel achieved its biggest audience of the series, peaking at more than 2.6million.
The first episodes of The Traitors — which ITV’s show has often been likened to — hit 3.5million after online viewing figures were included.
The source added: “The Fortune Hotel hasn’t been able to shake the comparisons to The Traitors, but people seem to have forgotten that it was only towards the end of the first series that the BBC One show gained a real following.
“ITV has clearly seen enough in the stats, including a solid start with the crucial 16-34 audience, to plough on for series two.”
Some contestants have engaged in devious scheming by forming alliances, and viewers have been captivated by the drama.
The source added: “It took even the players a few days to work out how to really play the game, but now the in-fighting and suspicions are bubbling over.”
With series two on the way, anyone who hasn’t yet watched the series has plenty of time to catch up.
Brekkie with Jimmy
JIMMY Doherty and co-star Shivi Ramoutar’s new Sunday ITV breakfast show will start next month.
The duo will present Farmhouse Breakfast, “packed with food, family and lifestyle”, from Jimmy’s family farm in the Suffolk countryside.
It will run across 11 episodes from June 30.
Justin’s Corrie role bid
HE has been the voice of Weatherfield FM and made a handful of cameos since he first appeared as car delivery man Duggie on Coronation Street in 2011.
But comedian Justin Moorhouse says he would love to land a more permanent role on the ITV1 soap.
He told the RHLSTP comedy podcast: “I’ve been on the show three times. Recently I’ve been the voice of Weatherfield FM. Whenever there’s a radio on (in the show), I go, ‘It’s coming up to 9am, it’s busy on the parkway, you’re listening to Weatherfield FM’.
“I love it and I think it’s great. It’s such a nice feeling working there and I’m hoping, if they are listening, I will just get written into it. I’d love to be in it full-time.”
Justin also briefly played Dean Upton, the landlord of the Rovers Return’s rival pub The Flying Horse, in 2014.
Out of this world, Danny
DANNY Robins probes paranormal encounters as Uncanny returns to BBC Two.
It will feature analysis from sceptic Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe and parapsychologist Evelyn Hollow.
Danny said: “Meet truly compelling witnesses telling you about some terrifyingly extraordinary events.”
Tickets woe for BBC pair
TICKETS for Gardeners’ World Live and the Good Food Show are being given away FREE due to poor sales.
The shows used to be jewels in the BBC’s crown, driving millions in revenue for the Corporation.
Yet despite them featuring on-screen favourites such as Monty Don, Paul Hollywood and Tom Kerridge, tickets are now being given away on seat-filler websites to help boost crowds.
A source said: “It’s another sign the sheen is wearing off daytime telly, with viewers less and less engaged by what used to be sure-fire hits.
“Both events used to be cash cows for the BBC as they could charge companies to exhibit there off the back of massive visitor numbers – which now appear to be lacking.”
This year’s shows take place at Birmingham NEC from June 13 to 16.