The British Broadcasting Corporation has decided to stop making I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl. This scrapping of the franchise comes despite the shows being the first of their kind in the UK. The final series—a second run for the female-focused version—will air this spring on BBC Three and iPlayer. After that, the cameras stop. No more series are planned. The broadcaster says the choice is about money-dry realities and shifting budgets.
"The integrity and intention of why I Kissed A… was created… has made it the most special experience for me in almost 40 years of television." — Dannii Minogue, Host.
The Mechanics of the Cut
The decision hits a franchise that tried to change how dating shows look. Produced by Twofour, the show used a "kiss-first" hook to see if strangers had a spark before they started talking.
The BBC blames funding challenges for the closure.
Industry whispers suggest a "ratings struggle" played a part in the attrition.
Former contestants, including Mikey Connor, labeled the move "two steps back" for queer visibility.
The show's Italian villa setting and "dolce vita" vibe will be replaced by cheaper or different programming.
Dissecting the Timeline
The franchise was a short-lived attempt to bring niche dating to the masses. It survived only three full cycles before the axing was made official.
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| Show Title | Launch Date | Status | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Kissed A Boy | May 2023 | Discontinued | All-male dating |
| I Kissed A Girl | 2024 | Final Series 2025 | All-female dating |
| Reunion Specials | Annual | Cancelled | Post-show follow-up |
Broken Representation or Budget Logic?
The fallout reveals a gap between what the audience wants and what the beehive at the BBC can afford. While the shows were "acclaimed" for their social value, they proved expendable when the ledger grew thin.
Frustration: Fans on social media feel "devastated" that the only mainstream LGBTQ+ dating space is being shuttered.
Asymmetry: Mainstream hetero dating shows continue to receive heavy investment while queer spin-offs are often the first to feel the cold of cost-cutting.
Legacy: The show will leave behind a brief history of being the "first," but its early death suggests the BBC is retreating to safer, more profitable ground.
Background on the Franchise
Launched in 2023, I Kissed A Boy was pitched as a revolutionary step for BBC Three. It moved away from the traditional slow-burn romance of Love Island by forcing immediate physical contact. Hosted by pop icon Dannii Minogue, it sought to give the LGBTQ+ community a monolith in the reality TV landscape. By 2024, it expanded to include women, but the momentum was seemingly not enough to shield it from the broader turbulent time in British media financing.