The long-awaited revival of Supermarket Sweep finally debuted on ITV2 on Monday night, with Rylan Clark-Neal taking over hosting duties from the late Dale Winton.
Viewers and critics were quick to have their say about the new series on Twitter, with Digital Spy and the Daily Star both pointing to “mixed reviews”, but both had much love for Rylan in his new presenting role.
Both The Telegraph and iNews’ critics gave the show’s first episode three-star reviews, referring to it as “cheesy as the dairy aisle yet irresistibly charming”.
In iNews’ review, they said Rylan would “do [Dale] Winton proud – once he settles in”, but singled out the show’s 8pm timeslot on ITV2 as a misfire.
The Guardian was distinctly less complimentary, though, giving the show’s first episode just two stars, lamenting that because of his role as “supermarket manager”, his presenting style has been left “frozen by the format” of the show.
“Rylan Clark-Neal has taken over hosting duties and you would think it would be a perfect fit,” they wrote. “He is a strong presenter, funny and quick, but he seems frozen by the format; by having to get through the admin of asking questions and adding time.
“He works best when he is winging it – here he seems to have gone method and plays the haughty shop manager a little too well: instead of telling jokes, he complains about the mess the contestants have left on the floor and says ‘I’m fumin’,’ a lot.”
Fortunately, the man himself doesn’t seem too put out about the criticism.
Sharing a link to the review – with its headlining calling the show “as stiff as a frozen potato waffle” – Rylan joked: “Haven’t been that stiff in ages! Thanks Rebecca.”
Supermarket Sweep will continue every weeknight for the next four weeks at 8pm on ITV2.
As well as celebrity guests scattered throughout the episodes, a Love Island special is also in the works, featuring couples from the most recent series of the reality show.