Olivia Attwood's New ITV Show 'The Heat' Faces Scathing Reviews After Debut Episode
Olivia Attwood's latest venture into television has hit a rocky start, with her new ITV reality cooking show, The Heat, being branded a disaster by critics and insiders following its first episode. The programme, which was anticipated as ITV's next major reality hit, has drawn significant backlash for its chaotic execution and culinary mishaps.
Chaos in the Kitchen: Guests Report Long Waits and Lukewarm Dishes
According to sources, the show's filming in Barcelona was marred by numerous issues. Guests at the pop-up restaurant, where ten chefs compete under Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, were reportedly served non-alcoholic Prosecco and faced extensive delays. A source revealed to The Sun that diners waited nearly two hours for their main courses, with loud shouting and screaming audible from the kitchen throughout the service.
The problems extended to the food quality, with starters described as lukewarm and a Spanish omelette notably missing potatoes, a key ingredient. To compound matters, the establishment had to be evacuated due to a small fire, an incident highlighted in the show's trailer, adding to the overall sense of disarray.
Olivia Attwood's Hosting Role and Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses
Former Love Island star Olivia Attwood, 34, took on hosting duties for The Heat, aiming to guide the chefs through their culinary challenges. In an exclusive sneak peek of the second episode obtained by the Mirror, Olivia is seen on a lavish yacht in the Mediterranean, reflecting on the tumultuous opening. She commented, Yesterday The Heat opened its doors, the fire was on in the kitchen and later on the team let their hair down but there were sparks there too... Today, a new head chef has to step up and take control. Let's hope there's not too many distractions!
Olivia also shared humorous moments, such as asking crew members if her attire was revealing for social media likes, and confessed her own kitchen habits, stating, I'm a bit Victoria Beckham-coded. I could eat the same thing every day, I can't be bothered to make a big mess. I want to eat the food, I don't want to make it.
Industry Reaction and ITV's Response
The show's debut has sparked widespread discussion in the entertainment industry, with many labelling it a disappointment given the high expectations. Despite the criticism, the programme continues to air, with viewers curious to see if the chefs can overcome the initial hurdles. The Mirror has reached out to ITV for comment on the allegations, but no official statement has been released at this time.
As The Heat progresses, all eyes will be on whether it can recover from its rocky start and deliver the engaging reality content that ITV envisioned.
