This Morning star dealt crushing blow as big money gameshow axed after just one series

This Morning's Dermot O'Leary has been dealt a huge blow with the confirmation that his UKTV gameshow Silence Is Golden won't be getting a second series. The 52-year-old dad of one hosted the four-part series where the studio audience had to resist various distractions to keep quiet in order to win a share of a £250,000 prize pot. Comics including Katherine Ryan and Seann Walsh attempted to make the audience laugh, and any time one of them made a sound, the money would drop. If the comics got the prize pot to zero, it was given to charity.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, UKTV Executives confirmed the show would not be back. "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 said.

The show was announced with huge fanfare in July 2024 and came just months after Dermot was "snubbed" by ITV when it was announced Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard would be replacing Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as full-time hosts of This Morning.

Dermot is currently a part-time presenter on the show, hosting alongside Alison Hammond on Fridays and covering many episodes during Ben Shephard's summer break.

Speaking to The Sun after Silence Is Golden was announced, Dermot said, "When a show like this falls into your lap, you can't believe your luck. I'm looking forward to having lots of fun."

The show had another ITV connection as it was produced by occasional Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Bacon. He told the publication: "The feeling when you're not allowed to laugh at a funeral? It's that - the game show."

Dermot's isn't the only show being pulled by UKTV. They have also cancelled the Jimmy Carr vehicle Battle in the Box.

The premise saw two sets of celebrities go head-to-head in various physical and mental challenges, with their boxes made bigger or smaller depending on how it was performing. It was reported in March that it was unlikely to return and this was confirmed at the festival.

A source told The Sun Online earlier this year: "Battle in the Box is being rested and no more series are planned for now.

"The show was one of the schedule staples for UKTV last year as they relaunched their channels with a bold new look. While there's no conversations happening about a second series, the show could return sometime in the future."