[Marc]

BBC One Saturday night game show Total Wipeout has been axed after six series, the corporation has confirmed.

The programme, which sees contestants tackle a number of obstacle course challenges, will return for one more series this year before ending.

Hosted by Richard Hammond and Amanda Byram, around 6.5m people tuned in to watch when the show began in 2009.

Spin-off show Winter Wipeout, which ended earlier this month, pulled in around 4m viewers.

There have also been celebrity versions of the show, which have seen many actors, athletes and TV personalities take part.

"After four very successful series of Total Wipeout, and one series of Winter Wipeout, the BBC has taken the decision that the next series will be the last," a BBC spokeswoman said.

The Wipeout format - which sees contestants flown to Buenos Aires in Argentina to compete for a cash prize - has become a hit internationally, with 29 countries using the purpose-built set.

It is understood show producers Endemol are in talks for a new replacement show to fill the Saturday night slot.

However, they have not ruled out a return for Total Wipeout to UK screens in future.