Nine denies The Footy Show axing rumours

Channel 9 has rejected rumours swirling across Melbourne that the new-look Footy Show is set to be axed following the hapless program’s latest ratings disaster.

Brendan Fevola, Dylan Alcott, Neroli Meadows and Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann on The Footy Show. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Channel 9 is digging in and denying that the new-look version of The Footy Show is destined for the axe in the immediate future.

Frenzied rumours have been swirling across Melbourne in recent days that the program, with Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann, Neroli Meadows, Dylan Alcott and Brendan Fevola is set to be dumped and soon.

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The chatter comes after the show posted a dismal 53,000 viewers in Melbourne last week up against The Front Bar (278,000).

The figure was so bad that it was the program is now being out-gunned by Nine’s late night Footy Classified and Sunday morning’s The Sunday Footy Show.

That has led to calls for the crew from The Sunday Footy Show, hosted by Tony Jones with panelists including Billy Brownless, Damian Barrett, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd, with special appearances by Sam Newman, to take over the Thursday slot.

But Nine is insisting that The Footy Show will screen at 8.30pm this Thursday – up against The Front Bar – as scheduled.

Last month, Meadows said she hoped viewers stuck with the show while the panel found their feet.

“I think in Australia people do love a pile-on. But you know what? The only thing they love more is a really good comeback story,” Meadows said.

“And if we become one of those, that’s awesome. If not, at least I gave it a crack.”

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