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Millions switch off David Jason’s new comedy The Royal Bodyguard - Daily TV round-up


Sir David Jason’s new BBC sitcom, 'The Royal Bodyguard', is flunking in the ratings after just a few episodes, with over three million viewers switching off in a week.

The TV icon’s new show launched on Boxing Day to an audience of around eight million, however many switched off before the end.

Monday night’s episode saw the audience nearly halved with just 4.8 million tuning in to watch Jason in his new role as Captain Guy Hubble, an ex-guardsman who gets promoted to the Queen’s bodyguard.

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These figures are in stark contrast to rival ITV’s ‘Inspector Morse’ spin-off ‘Endeavour’ which nabbed 7.4million viewers.

Viewers tweeted that the show was ‘dire’ and ‘irredeemably dreadful’, while others said they could ‘hardly bear to watch’.

The ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and ‘Frost’ legend, renowned for his character Del Boy, has even been slated in the new role by a show insider at the BBC.

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They said ‘The Royal Bodyguard’ was unlikely to get a second series, adding 'It’s great to get Sir David back at the Beeb, but this was clearly the wrong project'. [Daily Mirror]

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Six of this year’s ‘Dancing On Ice’ contestants have already ended up in A&E after a spate of tumbles and crashes. Among those affected are 'EastEnders' star Laila Morse, who ripped muscles in her shoulder and now needs surgery, Sugababe Heidi Range who was rushed to hospital after fears she had broken her wrist and Jennifer Ellison who had to get her leg strapped up in hospital after twisting it while attempting the splits.

But it is 90s crooner Chesney Hawkes who is in the most trouble - with medics refusing to give the OK for him to head back onto the ice. The one hit wonder may even miss the opening show on Sunday due to the injury sustained to his leg in a fall on New Year’s Day. [The Sun/Daily Mirror]