
BBC Death Valley viewers 'switch off' over 'one of most annoying TV characters'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Death Valley has been hit with a wave of criticism, with viewers reportedly "switching off" just minutes into the third episode.
The six-part drama, which aired its third instalment on Sunday, 8 June, stars Timothy Spall as John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan, investigating the mysterious death of a best man.
However, despite drawing in viewers, it was for all the wrong reasons. Disgruntled fans didn't hold back in criticising the show on social media, with one irate viewer exclaiming: "What on earth is this rubbish?".
"#DeathValley No wonder everyone is talking about it... It's utter nonsense and woke to boot. Refund the BBC if this is the best they can churn out."
Another unhappy fan voiced their disappointment: "Heard it was bad, but blimey it's horrendously bad. The lead lady is so irritating and the script is painfully unfunny. A new low for BBC Sunday night viewing, absolutely horrendous," reports the Mirror.
For some, frustration reached its peak, leading them to switch off their televisions, as one viewer admitted: "Caught up with #DeathValley on BBC1. I love stuff starring Timothy Spall but just had to turn off after a few minutes due to the awful co-star detective played by Gwyneth Keyworth shouting all the time. She must be one of the most annoying TV characters ever."
Another viewer was left thoroughly unimpressed, taking to social media to express their disdain: "#DeathValley on BBC1 is one of the worst programmes I've ever sat through!".
Despite some harsh critiques, there are viewers who have found joy in the series, with one fan posting: "I know a lot of people seem to enjoy slagging off #DeathValley, and I admit that when I saw the initial trailer, I thought it looked poor.
"However, having binged the series the other day, I can quash my original reticence and say that I loved it. Daft, funny, cosy and Welsh."
Adding to the positive feedback, another viewer shared their enjoyment: "Enjoying #DeathValley too. It's Sunday night viewing and I remember 'By the Sword Divided' and 'The Pallisers' so this is quite fun."
Despite a mix of reviews, Death Valley has managed to pull in impressive viewing figures, as reported by the BBC. The show's first episode, which aired on 25 May, drew in a significant 2.9 million viewers on BBC One.
This strong debut marks the most successful launch for a new BBC Scripted Comedy in the last five years, surpassing Ludwig's premiere last September, which had an audience of 2.8 million.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Telegraph
22 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Richard Wilson's fantastic King Lear is proof that the BBC should be doing more Shakespeare
According to the actor Jonathan Pryce, you should play Lear while your back can still handle it. Pryce played the octogenarian king when he was a mere 65, and still put his back out staggering onstage with Cordelia in his arms. Drama on 4: King Lear (Radio 4, Sunday) gave us a satisfying reminder that radio drama can reach the places other mediums can't, as the 89-year-old Richard Wilson took on the role – becoming the oldest British actor to do so in the process. When he staggers on with Cordelia in Sunday's concluding part, Wilson's back will be safe. Clive Brill's production, while relatively no-frills, is a treat, as well as being a potential blueprint for BBC radio drama. Wilson is the eye-catching name at the top of the bill, but the undercard isn't too shabby either – Toby Jones as Gloucester, David Tennant as Edmund, Greta Scacchi as Goneril, Tamsin Greig as Regan. Renowned cellist Steven Isserlis adds interstitial howls from his bow, which begin a little overbearing but grow in stature as the play increases in intensity. Among the less starry cast, Trevor Fox's Geordie Fool stands out. However, it is Wilson that this production will be judged on. His Lear is a slow-burn, beginning, as he vaingloriously beseeches his daughters to shower him with sycophancy in return for a share of the kingdom, in a stubbornly low gear. It is a little jarring at first, with Lear sounding mildly peeved rather than furious at Cordelia's refusal to play ball. 'Come not between a dragon and his wrath,' he says, sounding more like a sleepy guard dog lazing in the sun. While it's sensible not to start Lear at too high a pitch – he has some serious emotional mountains to climb later – I was, in those very early scenes, left wanting a bit more p--s and vinegar from Wilson. His stolid, pompous statesman act felt like it was going to be overshadowed by Tennant's duplicitous bastard (in every sense of the word) Edmund. Tennant gave the listener a fairground ride of an opening soliloquy ('Why brand they us / With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base?') and his slippery chameleon act was matched by an emotionally raw performance from Jones, who reacted to Edgar's invented betrayal with the sort of passion previously missing from Wilson. Perhaps Wilson was to play an anchor role next to the pyrotechnics from his younger castmates. I was, like Lear, too quick to rush judgement and gradually Wilson's haughty, dismissive old king began to take a grip on proceedings. His Lear is a man who has grown used to hearing no dissent, to having his every whim catered to. When things do not go his way, he does not get angry (at first), because he does not need to – he'll still win. At the point Cordelia 'betrays' him, his reaction is not hot anger, but a surprised disappointment followed by a swift execution. He is vain, thin-skinned, completely in love with his own power, and unwilling to brook any kind of dissent or believe the cards will not fall for him. 'Fetch me a better answer,' he says when Regan and Goneril will not meet him. There is, yes, something very Trumpian about this Lear. If there's a sense that Wilson is saving something up for the more explosive events of this weekend's instalment, that's understandable, but it's tricky to truly give a verdict on his Lear before he has wandered the heath and delivered the most memorable lines ('Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!', 'Howl, howl, howl, howl!', 'I don't believe it!' etc). Yet what a pleasure it is to hear him, age 89, delivering the words that presumably he'd long given up imagining he would. The production is also a salute to the power of the older actor – Matthew Marsh (Kent) is 70, Scacchi is 65, Jones and Greig are 58. Yet that cast is significant for another reason – put this production on in the West End, with the same actors, and you'd be paying more than £100 to sit behind a pillar or peer at them dimly from the upper circle. With theatre pricing becoming increasingly eye-watering, the BBC has a chance to remind everyone (ahead of charter renewal) of its essential place in British culture. With the Corporation's sway and reputation, they could put a star-name Shakespeare on once a month, or even once a week, increasing access beyond those who can justify the exorbitant West End fees. Not only can BBC radio drama save Wilson's back, it can save something that should be coursing through the nation's veins.


Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Jermaine Jenas axed from ITV show after BBC sacking and sexting scandal
Jermaine Jenas has been largely absent from media work since being sacked by the BBC last summer and he will not be involved in Soccer Aid coverage for ITV this weekend Jermaine Jenas will not be part of the ITV team covering Soccer Aid this weekend amid the continued fallout from being sacked by the BBC over allegations of workplace misconduct. The former England international was axed in August over claims he had sent inappropriate texts to female colleagues. Jenas was removed from his role as a presenter of The One Show and a pundit for BBC Sport after an internal investigation was launched. Jenas saw his contract terminated by the broadcaster and ultimately also parted ways with his long-term agents MC Saatchi in addition to being let go from his role presenting Formula E. Previous years have seen Jenas work alongside Maya Jama as part of coverage for the charity match Soccer Aid, with the likes of Dermot O'Leary and Alex Scott taking on presenting duties. The latter pair are set to host once again as England taking on a Rest of the World side with Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury co-managing the Three Lions at Old Trafford on Sunday. According to Mail Online, Jenas was not considered by ITV to be part of the production. The channel did not want to bring unwanted attention to an event centred around charity, given Jenas' recent controversies. It is claimed that ITV still have a good relationship with the former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder. Jenas has returned to working in the sphere of football in the aftermath of his sacking by BBC, however. After stepping back from his role as a presenter on talkSPORT, the 42-year-old appeared as a guest and returned to action as a commentator in February. Upon his return, Jenas told the station: "The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind… There's a reason why you're in this position and there's a reason why this has happened. "Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future. Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.' In March, Ellie Penfold announced her split from Jenas. The pair share four children and Penfold took so social media to confirm the end of her 16-year relationship. "I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it's necessary," she 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. "We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children's privacy during this challenging time. Thank you, Ellie." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Johnny Vegas vows to 'kickstart debate' as he shares emotional insight to life
The comedy star of Benidorm and Still Open All Hours shows a whole new side as he tackles major art challenge while getting to grips with an ADHD diagnosis Johnny Vegas will be seen getting to grips with his recent ADHD diagnosis in a new Channel 4 two-parter in which he returns to his first love of art. The comedian, actor and trained potter has signed up to produce a piece of public art for his hometown of St Helens in Merseyside, and the cameras have followed him as he takes on the biggest artistic challenge of his career. A show source said: 'What starts as a creative endeavour turns into a journey of self-discovery when Johnny receives a diagnosis of ADHD. Though the original artistic vision falters, the documentary uncovers a silver lining—an honest and heartfelt conversation about mental health and understanding yourself.' Johnny, 54, told the Mirror: 'I used to sit at a potter's wheel on stage. People thought it was a gimmick, but I actually started out as a dedicated wannabe ceramicist. Art was my educational saviour. "Over years of witnessing what felt like an ongoing decline in educational commitment to the very same arts, I felt it was time I threw my hat back into the ring. To kickstart a debate about culture in general, whilst giving something of a visual symbol of gratitude back to my honestly beloved town.' He revealed that he'd been diagnosed with ADHD in 2023, saying at the time that it "answers a lot of questions about behavioural issues in the past'. He added: "In some respects, you can go back and look at it with regret, but I've had a bit of a charmed life, so it's no regrets," he said. "I know now, and it helps you make changes, I suppose, as you want to get more responsible later in life. I don't see it as defining me.' Programme-maker Adeel Amini, of Rumpus Media, said that fans would love seeing Johnny returning to his roots. 'Johnny tackles art and creativity with his trademark wit and humour, as well as a great deal of honesty and emotion, showing us a brand new side to one of Britain's best-loved figures.' C4 specialist factual boss Shaminder Nahal says: 'This series brings to life the power of art for everyone – how it can soothe, help, energise and inspire. Beautifully filmed over several years, the series showcases Johnny's unique humour, heart and passion – uncovering the intricacies and demands of artistic process along the way. It's an enlightening, eye-opening and emotional journey.' It is thought that as many as one in 20 UK adults could have the condition, but many cases are unidentified. Other celebrities who have been diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood include presenters Ant McPartlin and Richard Bacon, comedian Rory Bremner and TV presenter Sue Perkins.