The BBC has confirmed that its trailblazing LGBTQ+ dating series I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl will not return after their upcoming season, citing financial pressures.
In a statement first reported by The Sun, the broadcaster said there are “no current plans” for either show to continue beyond the second season of I Kissed A Girl, which is scheduled to air later this spring.
A BBC spokesperson said the decision was driven by funding constraints despite the programmes’ cultural impact.
“We are exceptionally proud of I Kissed A Boy/Girl, the UK’s first dating show for the LGBTQ+ community. We would like to thank our fabulous cupid Dannii Minogue and the entire team at Twofour for bringing the series to screen,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, we have to make difficult choices in light of our funding challenges, and there are no current plans for the show to return.”
Dannii Minogue Reflects on “Special” Experience
Pop star and television personality Dannii Minogue, who hosted both shows, described the project as one of the highlights of her long career in television.
“Thank you Twofour Productions and BBC for allowing me to be a part of I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl series, it is such a powerful and important show,” she said in a statement.
“I’m so proud that this show has given us the chance to celebrate so many people from the LGBTQ+ community who have made up our wonderful cast.”
Minogue added she is looking forward to audiences seeing the upcoming season of I Kissed A Girl, promising it will deliver the same excitement and joy that defined the series.
“The integrity and intention of why I Kissed A… was created, along with the love and care from the crew and production over the four seasons, has made it the most special experience for me in almost 40 years of television,” she said.
A Groundbreaking Format
I Kissed A Boy first premiered in 2023 and made history as the first British dating show dedicated exclusively to gay men.
The series returned for a second season in 2025, while the spin-off I Kissed A Girl — focusing on queer women — debuted in 2024.
Both programmes follow a distinctive format. Ten single participants arrive at an Italian masseria and are instantly paired with a potential match. Before even learning each other’s names, the couples share a kiss before meeting the other contestants.
Throughout their stay, participants build friendships and explore romantic connections. During the show’s signature “kiss off”, couples decide whether to stay together by sealing their commitment with another kiss. Those left unkissed must leave the competition while new singles enter later in the series.
Season two of I Kissed A Boy also marked a milestone for representation by featuring Lars Fellows, the show’s first transgender contestant.
Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams narrated I Kissed A Boy, while presenter Charley Marlowe provided narration for I Kissed A Girl.
Concerns Over LGBTQ+ Representation
The cancellation comes during a period of uncertainty for LGBTQ+ representation in television.
Last year, Netflix ended its queer dating show The Ultimatum: Queer Love after just two seasons. Other LGBTQ+-focused projects — including Boots and Olympo — have also been cancelled.
According to advocacy group GLAAD, around four in ten LGBTQ+ characters appearing on television between 2024 and 2025 are not expected to return to screens in 2026.
Several high-profile actors, including Olivia Colman, Alan Cumming and Bowen Yang, have also spoken publicly about concerns that studios and broadcasters are becoming more cautious about commissioning LGBTQ+ stories amid wider political pushback against diversity initiatives.
Fans React to the Cancellation
The news has prompted disappointment from fans and former contestants alike.
Mikey Connor, who appeared on the first season of I Kissed A Boy, shared his reaction online.
“Sad too see. A show that needed to happen,” he wrote on X.
“Everyone should be proud who has been involved from the BBC, casting, producers, all us cast in both seasons and everyone who supported it.”
Other fans expressed frustration, with some calling for another broadcaster to revive the format.
“This needs to be picked up by E4 immediately,” one viewer wrote. “The format is great, and it’s been super important for the community whilst also instrumental in telling a wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ stories.”
