[michael21]

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/b...032953.article

ITV1 has called time on Paul O’Grady’s primetime chat show – ending the host’s second spell with the commercial broadcaster.

Broadcast understands that ITV will not commission another series of Paul O’Grady Live after it underperformed in the ratings. Industry sources have also suggested the show “was not a happy ship” and that O’Grady had been eyeing the exit door.

The presenter was not tied in to a lengthy contract when he returned to ITV from Channel 4 in 2009, and the show was commissioned on a rolling basis.

It is thought the third series was originally pencilled in to be produced by O’Grady’s indie Olga TV at The London Studios next year, but the booking has now been cancelled.

Paul O’Grady Live averaged a consolidated audience of 3.7 million (14% share) over its first run in 2010, while this year’s series dropped to 3.3 million viewers.

It is understood that ITV has not shut the door to working with O’Grady again. His agent and Olga were unavailable for comment.

It is the second time ITV and O’Grady have parted company after the presenter left under a cloud to join C4 in 2006. He said the broadcaster’s executives at the time, including former director of television Simon Shaps, ignored him and took him for granted.