Channel 4 has cancelled reality show The Circle after three series.
The reality show sees a group of contestants communicate only through a social media platform and allows them to either play as a catfish or themselves.
It kicked off back in 2018 and was fronted by Emma Willis, but despite being popular with audiences, Channel 4 has said it won't be renewing it for a fourth offering.
In a statement to Digital Spy, Channel 4 said: "The Circle has been a huge hit for young audiences and has grown successively over three seasons on Channel 4, consistently outperforming slot averages.
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"We're incredibly proud to have worked with Studio Lambert North and Motion Content Group to invest in such an innovative show and to have given it a springboard for its international format success.
"In much the same way as when we originally commissioned The Circle, Channel 4 has a responsibility to continually look at how we reinvent and create space for new ideas, and so we have decided not to commission the show for a fourth season.
"We'd like to thank Studio Lambert, Motion and all those involved for The Circle's huge success over the last three series."
As you can imagine, fans have been left feeling miffed by the news, with one posting on Twitter: "I'm sorry but why Channel 4 why would you axe The Circle after it's most popular season and when it keeps growing in viewers. Are you stupid?"
Another fumed: "Channel 4 what a horrendous stupid decision to axe The Circle what goes on in your heads is beyond me it's like Big Brother again."
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A third said: "Bitterly disappointed to read that Channel 4 has cancelled The Circle - one of the few tv programmes I watch and enjoyed. 'Space needed for new ideas.' Hmm. Cancel a few other tired formats first perhaps?"
The show, which aired in the 10pm slot, saw contestants battle it out for a £100,000 prize pot.
It was up to them whether they played the game completely honestly and appeared on the specially designed social media platform as themselves, or had a go at being a catfish and pretending to be someone else throughout.
Series three winner Natalya opted for the latter, and played as 'Felix' even building up an online relationship with fellow contestant Manrika.
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4Topics: TV and Film, TV and Film