Circus comedy axed

Amanda Holden’s sitcom Big Top has been axed by BBC One, after failing to wow critics or win huge audiences.

Just 3.3million viewers tuned into the first episode of the circus-set comedy, despite its prime 7.30pm slot.

And although it featured an all-star cast, which also included John Thompson, Tony Robinson and Ruth Madoc, the critics were not kind, blaming a very old-fashioned script.

The Telegraph said: ‘The traditional British sitcom is very ill – as proven by Big Top,’ the Independent said there was ‘a terrible stench wafting’ from the show; while Cailin Moran in the time said: ‘Were the awfulness of Big Top rendered into miles, we could use it as a bridge to the Moon.’

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed to Chortle that Big Top would not return.

Published: 24 Feb 2010