Family Feud fans were outraged last week after it was announced the hit show would be coming to an end.
But it was the host, Grant Denyer, who was more shocked than anyone.
“It was popular. So much so it was on twice a day. The show won a Logie & I was nominated for Gold twice. Was fun while it lasted,” he tweeted one follower after the shock announcement.
While Grant Denyer went on to say he was “lucky” to be a part of the award-winning family show, further telling tweets suggest he was blindsided and deeply hurt by the move by Network Ten.
As well as reposting supportive messages from disgruntled fans, he also replied to Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson’s rant about ABC cuts, writing, “At least you have a show” accompanied by a sad face.
It sounds like it could be a sad case of déjà vu for the former weather presenter, who was dropped from Channel Seven back in 2013 only to face a barrage of criticism.
After a failed stint of Sunrise, the TV star’s career looked to be over – and he later admitted he’d “f***ed up” after being told by doctors he was “going to die” if he worked on the show any longer.
“I didn’t want to let Seven down, but I was. I did a year too long on Sunrise and paid a big price for it physically. I was very ill, very medically ill, just so tapped out and empty,” he said at the time.
So it’s little wonder this latest blow has left him heartbroken. Since fronting the revival of Family Feud back in 2014, his career has gone from strength to strength, and in December last year it was announced he’d landed a radio gig alongside Ed Kavalee and Em Rusciano on 2DayFm alongside his TV projects.
The Family Feud star is gutted over the show’s axing.
Now, Grant is leaning on his wife, Chezzi, and two daughters, Sailor and Scout, in the wake of the bad news.
Last week the dad of two posted a heartwarming message on Sailor’s 7th birthday. It read, “I wanted it this way forever… but life only gets more surprising, loving & amazing with u. You won’t always want or need me but I’m so glad I brought u into this world & I’ll forever be here to hold your hand through it… whenever u need me. Happy 7th birthday Sailor. Love Dad”.
While Network Ten have yet to confirm whether Grant will be hosting Family’s Feud rumoured replacement, Pointless, they put a stop to speculation the star was being dropped completely late last week, releasing a statement insisting they were keen to continue working with him.
“Family Feud has been an important part of our schedule for the past four years, but we feel it is time to rest the show. It will be put on hold later this year and we will be announcing an exciting new game show very soon,” said a spokesperson.
“We will also have some exciting news about Grant Denyer’s new show on TEN soon.”
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What’s replacing Family Feud?
Those looking to fill the void can at least take some comfort in knowing Ten is set to replace Family Feud with another quiz show.
Producers at Endemol Shine are said to have their eye on a local version of popular British game show Pointless, which has already been developed in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
The game’s objective is to provide the most obscure answers to general knowledge questions with the aim of receiving as few points as possible.
Grant is getting plenty of support from his wife Chezzi and two daughters.
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