BBC confirms acclaimed reality TV show format has been axed due to cost-cutting issues

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The BBC has decided to cancel its reality shows, ‘I Kissed a Boy’ and ‘I Kissed a Girl,’ because of budget cuts.

This dating show, a first for the BBC, featured same-sex couples and was hosted by Australian pop star Dannii Minogue, playfully nicknamed “Cupid” for her role in bringing people together.

The show began in 2023 with only male contestants. In 2024, it featured an all-female cast called ‘I Kissed a Girl,’ and then returned to an all-male cast in 2025.

Although the show was popular, it won’t be coming back right now because of difficulties securing funding.

A BBC representative shared with The Sun that they are very proud of ‘I Kissed a Boy/Girl,’ the UK’s first dating show specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals.

We’re grateful to the wonderful Dannii Minogue, who guided the show as Cupid, and everyone at Twofour for making the series a reality.

I’m really bummed to share that the show isn’t coming back right now. It’s a tough situation with funding, and they’ve had to make some difficult decisions, but sadly, that means no new episodes at the moment.

BBC Three is bringing back ‘I Kissed a Girl’ for one last season this year, and that will be the end of the show.

Kylie Minogue expressed her gratitude to Twofour Productions and the BBC for including her in the ‘I Kissed a Boy’ and ‘I Kissed a Girl’ series, calling it a meaningful and impactful show.

As a fan, I’m really thrilled this show has highlighted so many talented people from the LGBTQ+ community – it meant a lot to see that kind of representation in the cast!

I’m so excited for you to watch the new season of I Kissed a Girl! It’s full of all the fun and energy you’ve come to expect from the show.

As a lifelong movie and TV fan, I’ve seen a lot over the past four decades, but this show truly stands out. What makes it so special isn’t just the story, but the clear passion and dedication everyone involved poured into it over all four seasons. You can really feel the love and care that went into making it, and for me, that’s what makes it a truly unforgettable experience.

Like many popular dating shows today, I Kissed a Boy/Girl follows a group of young singles looking for romance while they live together in a beautiful Italian villa.

I was fascinated watching the show – it was wild! The premise was that people would literally kiss each other before they even learned each other’s names, or even had a proper introduction. Then, they’d have these regular events – they called them ‘kiss offs’ – where each person had to decide if they wanted to continue with the person they were with, or if they wanted to try and connect with someone else. It was brutal, because whoever wasn’t chosen at these ‘kiss offs’ was sent home. It was all about instant chemistry and making quick decisions!

I Kissed a Girl will return to BBC Three this summer.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local team. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2026-03-11 14:36