UKTV formats had comedians taking on challenges

Broadcaster Dave has axed two gameshows that set challenges to comedians: Silence Is Golden and Battle In The Box.

In Silence Is Golden, an audience had to remain stony-faced as comics tried to make them laugh. The show, which was devised by Richard Bacon, aired for one series in May.

It was hosted by Dermot O’Leary and featured Katherine Ryan, Seann Walsh and Fatiha El-Ghorri as regulars.

A number of other stand-ups also appeared on the show, in which the audience shared a £250,000 prize pot, which decreased every time they made a sound.

And in Battle Of The Box – hosted by Jimmy Carr – two teams of comics spent 24 hours in a box with a moveable dividing wall, taking on challenges to win more floor space

Ryan, Walsh and El-Ghorri were again among the comics who took part in the show, which was adapted from a Korean format. 

UKTV execs confirmed the fate of the shows at the  Edinburgh TV Festival yesterday.

The industry audience was told: ‘[They are] both fantastic shows and maybe in another universe we might be keeping both of those shows at the moment landing shows at that budget and scale that's not where our heads are at.

‘We are really looking to try and do something different so we can bring it back in volume. "They are great producers and we have absolutely work loved working with both of them.’

News of the cancellations was first reported in The Sun.

Published: 21 Aug 2025