TV’s raciest show is axed by Channel 4 after three series after it ‘failed to seduce viewers’

A BONKERS TV show that let couples explore threesomes and orgies at a luxury retreat could be facing withdrawal. I can reveal the axe is set to fall on Open House: The Great Sex Experiment after three seasons because it failed to get big ratings. Open House: The Great Sex Experiment is being axed Credit: Channel 4 Show is facing the chop after three seasons as it failed to get big ratings Credit: Channel 4 The Channel 4 series debuted in April 2022, then returned for a second outing in 2023 and a third last year. A TV insider said: “This was a programme that typified C4’s unconventional approach to making television, and nobody could say it wasn’t truly experimental. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “But despite some initial interest, it wasn’t enough to engage viewers long-term and the ratings quickly trailed off. “C4 insists it has not made a decision on its return yet — but there is no sign of it coming back. Plus, the channel has already been exploring sexuality in other ways.” C4’s more daring programmes include a documentary on OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue and another headline-grabbing TV experiment, Virgin Island, which follows people popping their cherries in a tropical retreat. Open House allowed couples to dabble in a range of adventurous activities including partner-swapping, threesomes, live sex shows and orgies. It also encouraged some of those taking part to explore their bisexuality with other men and women. News of its demise comes just days after it emerged that another high- profile C4 show, Your Song, fronted by Great British Bake Off star Alison Hammond, was facing the chop. Most read in TV It also failed to draw in the ratings that execs were hoping for. Complicating matters further is the fact that C4 are waiting to get a new boss as their content chief Ian Katz has announced he is leaving after nine years in the post. He won’t officially end his tenure till October. Only then, when his replacement is appointed, will shows know for sure if they’re returning or not. DALE’S SIXY LEADING LADIES From left, Rosie Bentham (Gabby Thomas), Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle), Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor), Katie Hill (Sarah Sugden), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Serena Sugden) and Patsy Kensit (Sadie King) EMMERDALE is showing off the joy of six leading ladies dazzling on the show this summer. Taking centre stage on the ITV soap will be, from left, Rosie Bentham (Gabby Thomas), Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle), Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor), Katie Hill (Sarah Sugden), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Serena Sugden) and Patsy Kensit (Sadie King). All the actors will have sensational storylines over the next six months, with producers promising a dramatic scenes “that will leave the village changed forever.” Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said: “From explosive secrets that shatter lives to dangerous new allegiances that threaten to tear the village apart, this season promises to be one of our most intense yet. “The village is set for a dramatic transformation, and we can’t wait for our audience to see the peril these characters face.” WICKS IS UPPING STICKS Rosie and Joe Wicks have sold their £3.25million Cotswolds home Credit: Anthony Harvey TV fitness guru Joe Wicks is saying goodbye to his celeb neighbours after selling his £3.25million Cotswolds home. The national treasure, who inspired a nation with his Covid workouts, put the Grade II-listed property on the market six months ago. The stunning pad, set in 2.5 acres of countryside, is close to A-listers including David and Victoria Beckham, Simon Cowell and Jeremy Clarkson. Joe joined the “Chipping Norton set” after purchasing the pad for £2.9million three years ago but he is now making a tidy £425,000 profit from its sale. Joe and wife Rosie also own a beach house in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and a £4million five-bedroom family home on an exclusive estate in Virginia Water, Surrey. So you don’t need to worry about them being homeless. MAN WHO WILL SAVE DOCTOR Ncuti Gatwa as Time Lord Doctor Who Credit: PA EVERYONE rolled their eyes when the BBC put Doctor Who out to tender following the last two disastrous series. But it seems a major player is considering taking the sci-fi series on – and it could save the show, which last had Ncuti Gatwa in the title role. US producer Dean Devlin, who has made huge movies such as Godzilla and Independence Day, plans to bid for the franchise via his firm, Electric Entertainment. He said: “I was living in England when the Doctor Who reboot happened in 2005 and I was mad for it. “My love for Doctor Who bleeds through the projects I have done in recent years. I’ve even cast TY Tennant, son of (former Doctor Who) David Tennant, in The Librarians.” Devlin revealed his plans while appearing on The Future Of Doctor Who panel at a San Diego fan event. Fingers crossed it works out for him . . . THE movie Clueless is getting a TV show sequel – more than 30 years after the cult teen comedy was first released. Lead actress Alicia Silverstone will return as Beverly Hills It girl Cher Horowitz, and shooting on the Paramount+ series is due to begin in LA next year. STILL GOT A LOT TO LEARN Head-teacher Matthew Burton is excited for the return of Educating Yorkshire Credit: Channel 4 SCHOOL isn’t out for Channel 4, which has confirmed the return of Educating Yorkshire. Together with production company Twofour, they will reopen the doors of Thornhill Community Academy, in Dewsbury, to capture the realities of teaching in modern Britain following two successful series in 2013 and 2025. Last year’s run gained an impressive 8.7million viewers with catch-up figures thrown into the mix, and it was nominated for a Bafta. Head-teacher Matthew Burton said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Twofour back to Thornhill, to highlight more of the important work that goes on in schools up and down the country, day in, day out. “We look forward to working hard over the next year.” KEMP: TRAITORS IS LIKE JAIL Ross Kemp says nothing prepared him for being inside The Celebrity Traitors’ Ardross Castle Credit: Splash ROSS KEMP has been to some of the world’s most intimidating places which require maximum security. But he says nothing quite prepared him for being inside The Celebrity Traitors’ Ardross Castle. The EastEnders hardman opened up about his time on the show for the Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast. Ross said: “As you know the disclaimer for the Traitors is longer than the Bayeux Tapestry, and Pollsmoor and Belmarsh prisons have less policing around them than that game, that piece of entertainment!” Which is saying something considering he’s travelled to Pollsmoor, South Africa’s most dangerous prison, and Belmarsh, which is among the UK’s toughest. I exclusively revealed that Ross was signing up for The Celebrity Traitors just before he and the entire cast of 21 stars arrived in the Scottish Highlands in spring for filming. The completed series is expected to air this autumn, though the BBC have yet to confirm dates. One thing is for sure, though, much as Ross reckons his time on the show had similarities to the worst jails, I bet none of them had guards as nice as Claudia Winkleman. Prime Video has released the official trailer for its series A Beautiful Obsession, which documents Pep Guardiola‘s final chapter as manager of Manchester City. Made by Academy and BAFTA award-winning director Kevin Macdonald, it will launch on August 19. Comment now