Jailbird Boris Becker’s TV interview was a £425,000 flop – as extra folks tuned into Germany’s model of The Bidding Room, MailOnline can reveal.
Becker, 55, signed an unique cope with broadcaster Sat 1 for entry to him and his household for the 2 and a half hour chat that was broadcast dwell on Tuesday night time.
However regardless of TV bosses hoping for bumper viewing figures it changed into a dismal efficiency with simply 1.5 million watching (5.8% viewers) – round 200,000 greater than Navy CIS which is common broadcast in the identical slot.
The strongest TV efficiency of the night time got here from a present on rival channel ZDF known as Bares Fur Rares – Gemany’s equal of the highest rated BBC present The Bidding Room hosted by BAFTA nominated actor Nigel Havers.
Boris Becker’s TV interview was a £425,000 flop – as extra folks selected to tune into Germany’s model of The Bidding Room. Pictured: Becker in the course of the interview which aired on Tuesday night time
3 times as many individuals – just below 4.5 million (15.2% viewers) – most popular to look at that in comparison with thrice Wimbledon ace Becker revealing how inmates threatened to kill him twice whereas serving his jail sentence.
Within the present host Horst Lichter – who sports activities a formidable handlebar moustache – stored viewers captivated as they watched a prime provide of £12,000 for a gold Lego brick that they had been stored by a person for greater than 40 years after being given to his father in 1981 for 25 years’ service with the toy agency.
A German TV insider mentioned:’ The figures are a bit disappointing and we might have hoped for extra however it’s additionally Christmas so persons are out and about having fun with themselves. Hopefully repeats could get a much bigger share and the worldwide market can be .’
Becker signed an unique cope with broadcaster Sat 1 for entry to him and his household for the 2 and a half hour chat that was broadcast dwell on Tuesday night time
Viewers additionally hit again at Sat1 through its on-line platform one mentioned:’ He in contrast jail to being in a struggle zone. Please. He has no sympathy from me,’ whereas one other stormed: ’Boris has nice performing expertise and it’s clear he hasn’t learnt something. He’s a narcissist and I’ve no sympathy.’
Different blasted him for turning on the water works a number of occasions in the course of the broadcast one viewer mentioned: ’Tears? Actually? Boris is simply as silly as he was earlier than he went to jail however now he thinks he’s a thinker.’
Whereas a tough hitting editorial within the revered Leipzig Volkszeitung mentioned: ’The lengthy tv interview was a problem for the viewers. On the one hand, as a result of Boris Becker is just not an excellent storyteller. Then again, as a result of his overdramatization is just too apparent from the beginning.
‘One accusation that the general public has repeatedly made towards Boris Becker lately is that he has misplaced contact with actuality. Now he’s purified and humbled – phrases that he makes use of himself. However within the dialog there may be little to really feel. He says that he skilled starvation for the primary time in his life. Sure, he in all probability went to mattress hungry. However he acquired meals twice a day – in contrast to individuals who really go hungry.’
MailOnline can reveal the interview – which was additionally recorded in English throughout a marathon 12 hour session at a Munich TV studio – is being touted to British broadcasters with a watch watering £500,000 price ticket.
However when MailOnline contacted the primary TV firms within the UK none returned enquiries as to whether or not they have been curious about shopping for the programme.
Within the interview Becker mentioned the inmates tried to kill him for his cash and likewise to make him do his laundry whereas he was initially at HMP Wandsworth earlier than being moved to the decrease Class Huntercombe.
Becker was sentenced in April to 2 and half years for hiding thousands and thousands of kilos price of property throughout his chapter proceedings.
He mentioned that being in jail had reformed him and had made him a greater particular person as he revealed he had misplaced nearly 7kg in weight, including:’Jail was good for my well being, there was no alcohol besides home-made schnapps.’
Becker additionally described how he felt stripped of his celeb standing and mentioned:’ You might be no one in jail. You might be only a quantity and mine was A2923EV. I wasn’t known as Boris and nobody provides a xxxx who you’re.’
A spokesperson for Sat 1 informed MailOnline:’The interview with Boris Becker has turned Sat 1 into the discuss of the nation – and achieved a internet attain (some who tuned in briefly then converted) of 5.2 million viewers, that’s what we needed to attain. That’s why Sat 1 may be very glad.’
