ITV has pulled a game show from the air - and fans all issued the same complaint

Fans of ITV have been left devastated as the broadcaster announced that a David Tennant-hosted show will not be returning for a second series. The Doctor Who star took on the role of The Creator in the eight-part reality gameshow, Genius Game, as it takes inspiration from a South Korean show.

The programme sees strategically minded players, chosen not just for their high intellectual prowess but also their social IQ, face the ultimate battle of survival. To win, contestants were tasked with participating in a host of never-before-seen games all designed to not only test their intellectual acumen but also encourage them to carefully and creatively use the art of manipulation to outfox their opponents and win a cash prize. However the game proved to be "too complicated" for a lot of viewers, therefore ITV have made the decision not to renew it.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, ITV chief Kevin Lygo said: "I think it was a good try, but the audience was complicated. But I do know people who were obsessed with it.

"You know, especially young people were obsessed with and couldn't believe we were not going to bring it back. But you know, I think in entertainment we all know how difficult it is to launch a big new show."

Some 1.2million viewers tuned in for the first episode but the numbers dropped to 800,000 for the second. It had a very mixed reaction online.

One fan enjoyed the show and wrote on X/Twitter: "This was a really good premiere of #GeniusGame for ITV. I'm a bit wary that the general public can't understand the games, but for me, it's about smart people trying to outsmart their peers. And I loved it."

However, others were massively confused by the show's rules. "Sorry #GeniusGame it's a no from me, way too complicated for that time of night, I need mindless entertainment after a busy day, ITV should've just extended #CBBUK instead," one shared.

Another added: "I'm struggling to understand. I'm clearly no genius, the rules on rules on rules are something else #GeniusGame."

One more said: "So do you have to be a genius to understand The Genius Game? I have completely no idea what's actually happening."