BY rights, ITV drama Maternal should’ve been a big hit, boasting a star-studded cast and a worthy and warm subject matter.

But the likes of Bend It Like Beckham’s Parminder Nagra, Sherlock’s Lara Pulver and Mum star Lisa McGrillis weren’t enough for viewers and I can reveal the broadcaster has called time on the medical drama after just one series. 

ITV has blamed poor ratings for pulling the plug on the show, which following a group of female medics juggling a crippling work/life balance as they returned to the ward after maternity leave.

A channel insider told me: “It’s been a very difficult decision because the show was much liked at the channel and the viewers who watched it really loved it too. 

“Unfortunately, the audience didn’t come to the drama in the numbers that we’d hoped for.”

Critics loved the support the series showed the women of our NHS, but viewers turned off.

The series, which ran in January and February of this year, began with an audience of 2.4million but it fell to 1.31million by the final episode on February 20.

After making her name in Bend It, Leicester-born Parminder spent six years on US medical drama E.R. so had enjoyed the return to medicine. 

Launching the six-part series in January, she said: “I did feel like medicine was a little bit still in there, even down to technically how to camouflage things for the camera.

“Like when you’re intubating a patient (inserting a tube through a person’s mouth or nose and into the windpipe), you hold your hand in a certain way to mask the fact you’re not really doing it.

“The funniest part was that some of the terminology that I got used to saying on ER, I was told, ‘That’s not how you say it here.’ It’s pronounced differently in Britain.”

Parminder also revealed that she only landed the lead role of paediatrician Dr Maryam Afridi as she was helping out her real life best pal Lara with her audition tape.

She added: “Lara Pulver and I are best mates and neighbours in LA.

“During the pandemic we’ve been doing a lot of our audition tapes together. So when she taped her audition to play Catherine in Maternal, I read the opposite parts.

“The following day, I got an email asking me to audition as Maryam. So we took our whole kit and caboodle to Liverpool for filming like a little family.

“To get a chance to work alongside Lara, who I love and respect, is just fantastic.”

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THE night was far from all-white for Billie Piper after a series of unfortunate events at the Royal Television Society awards.

She seemed to suffer a wardrobe malfunction as she walked the blue carpet at London’s Grosvenor House hotel.

Then the I Hate Suzie Too star lost out on the leading actor (female) title in a close-run race with Kate Winslet and Monica Dolan.

The gong went to Kate for her work in Channel 4’s I Am Ruth, which followed a mum and daughter’s struggles as the youngster – played by Kate’s own daughter Mia Threapleton – became consumed by social media.

Elsewhere LGBT coming-of-age drama Heartstopper finally got the recognition it deserved with a leading actor (male) award for Kit Connor.

Runaway hit The Traitors won a brace of titles for the BBC and host Claudia Winkleman was on hand to grapple with the gongs.

Another worthy winner at Tuesday’s ceremony was Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire, who was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award to a standing ovation from the audience and event host Tom Allen.

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CHALLENGE TO ANNEKA SHOW

ANNEKA RICE has told how Channel 5’s treatment of her reboot of Challenge Anneka has left her in tears.

After the opening two episodes of her 1990s show’s highly-anticipated return flopped in the ratings against such tough competition as Saturday Night Takeaway and Starstruck, the channel decided to pull the remaining two episodes from its schedules.

And veteran broadcaster Anneka responded on social media, poking fun at her situation by posting a picture of herself and her loyal cameraman, writing: “Hey Dave, we’ve got 24 hours to find Challenge Anneka a new home.”

She also responded to a fan who posted a sad-looking picture, saying: “This made me laugh . . . and then cry.”

On Tuesday Channel 5 said it was hoping to air the unscreened episodes some time in the future, but did not reveal when.

Perhaps it’s now time to revive Treasure Hunt.

BROOKER BACK TO HOSTING

CHARLIE BROOKER will be in the hosting chair when Have I Got News For You returns next month for its 65th series.

The Black Mirror genius is no stranger to the BBC One panel show, as this will be his fifth outing as guest presenter.

He’ll be joined by regular captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, with other guest still to be confirmed.

Charlie’s last hosting stint was in 2020 during lockdown when its stars had to film from their homes.

He said: “There was a test earlier on, where there were people sitting in all four of houses and I was talking to four people in face masks… it was like I was having a breakdown.”

The new series starts Friday, April 14 at 9pm.