The BBC has officially cancelled Davina McCall’s dating series Stranded on Honeymoon Island after just one season, marking an abrupt end to what was intended to be a long-running reality franchise. Despite production already beginning on a second series, crew members were reportedly informed that filming — which took place in the Philippines — would cease immediately and the show would not return to BBC One.

The format, created by CPL Productions, the team behind Married At First Sight UK and the upcoming Love Is Blind UK, had initially enjoyed strong interest from BBC commissioners. Adapted from an original Belgian series, the British version promised an adventurous twist on matchmaking: couples paired by relationship experts would be dropped on an isolated island, left with minimal supplies, and challenged to build a romantic connection under extreme conditions.

Series one was filmed in San Vicente, a picturesque stretch of the Philippine coastline, with participating couples transported to a neighbouring remote island for a three-week survival-meets-romance experiment. But despite its exotic setting and an enthusiastic host in Davina McCall, the show struggled to capture the momentum BBC executives had hoped for.

Stranded on Honeymoon Island has been axed by the BBC(BBC/CPL Productions)

Viewership numbers were an early warning sign. By episode three, only around 517,000 people were tuning in — a disappointing figure for a primetime BBC One reality launch. Social media reactions were equally mixed, with some viewers criticising the show for “trying too hard to be Love Island” and lacking a clear identity of its own. The unusual combination of survival challenges and rapid-fire romances left many unsure of the tone the programme was aiming for.

The cancellation is the second major blow to Davina McCall’s reality TV slate in recent years. Her ITV dating series My Mum, Your Dad was dropped earlier in 2024 after two well-received seasons, despite developing a loyal fanbase and earning praise for its more mature, emotional approach to matchmaking. Fans expressed disappointment at the BBC’s decision, noting Davina’s growing reputation as a warm and compassionate host for relationship-focused programmes.

In a statement, the BBC described Stranded on Honeymoon Island as “a compelling reality dating format,” adding:
“Whilst there are no current plans for a further series, we are grateful to Davina McCall for being our magnificent matchmaking host, the Honeymooners for taking part, and to CPL for bringing the series to screen.”

Davina McCall hosted the BBC series(BBC/CPL Productions)

The move follows wider restructuring within the BBC’s unscripted entertainment output. Recently, the network also cancelled Survivor, hosted by Joel Dommett, after its highly anticipated reboot failed to meet ratings expectations. Meanwhile, the fate of Rob Brydon’s travel competition series Destination X remains uncertain as executives continue to assess performance and budget priorities.

For now, fans who missed the show’s run can still catch Stranded on Honeymoon Island on BBC iPlayer, where all episodes remain available to stream.

(Sources: The Mirror, BBC News, Radio Times, Deadline