ITV is not interested in single women such as myself.

TV shows may give the impression that a woman's life starts with marriage or having a baby, but that's not always the case.

September 26th 2024.

ITV is not interested in single women such as myself.
It seems that Ferne McCann's popular ITV reality show is finally coming to an end. The show, which has followed Ferne through her journey of love, marriage, and motherhood, has been a staple on the network for years. But as viewers continue to demand more reality content, it seems that the broadcaster has been brainstorming new ideas since the early 2000s.

It all started with Katie Price and Peter Andre's love story on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, which captivated the nation. The network saw the potential and continued to follow the couple through seven different series as they got married and started a family. And when they eventually split, the network found new muses to follow.

The Only Way Is Essex also proved to be a breeding ground for reality stars, with the cast members constantly caught in a cycle of repetitive conversations and the occasional baby or wedding thrown in for good measure. And as each cast member got their own spin-off show, the trend continued with proposals, weddings, and motherhood being the main focus.

But it's not just TOWIE that's guilty of this formula. Viewers have also been able to watch Olivia Attwood plan her wedding to footballer Bradley Dack and Chloe Madeley navigate being a new mom to Bodhi. It seems that the network is fixated on ring and/or bump stories, and it's starting to become tiresome.

In fact, it's not just ITV that's following this trend. Even Paris Hilton has her own series, Paris in Love, on Peacock. And from Binky Felstead to Charlotte Crosby, many other reality stars have been given their own shows to explore romance, motherhood, or both. While there is definitely a place for this type of programming, it begs the question - is it time for other avenues to be explored?

As a loyal fan of reality TV, it's disheartening to see that the genre perpetuates the idea that marriage and children are the only paths to happiness. In today's society, where the next generation is challenging traditional norms, it's no longer seen as a second choice to take a different life path. And yet, reality TV seems to be stuck in the past.

And even if I turn the channel to escape the endless stream of nuclear family content, there seems to be no escape. From Gemma Collins: Diva Forever and Ever to Paris Hilton's series, it seems that stars must remain part of an ensemble cast until they can secure a ring and/or bump of their own. And as much as I love reality TV, it's time for a change.

With stars like Ferne McCann and Billie Shepherd walking away from their long-running shows, it's the perfect opportunity for ITV to showcase a wider spectrum of women's stories. While family-based reality shows may be relatable to many, the number of women choosing a different path is continually rising, and it's time for them to be represented on screen.

It's not just about marriage and children. There are so many other stories waiting to be told, and it's time for reality TV to catch up. Imagine seeing Megan Barton Hanson embracing her single life, or Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu bouncing back after being "cancelled." These women are single, successful, and have huge followings - why can't we see them living their best lives without a ring or a baby?

Molly-Mae Hague, who was recently rumored to be signing a deal with Amazon to cover her wedding preparations, proves that single women don't need a man to capture our interest. Her YouTube channel has gained millions of views since her split from Tommy Fury, and a series following her single life would be a powerful way to show that women's stories are just as important.

As a single woman myself, I can't help but feel frustrated when constantly questioned about my relationship status. It's time to normalize the various paths that women can take in life, and reality TV has the perfect platform to do so. Not only would it be refreshing to see, but it would also be a reminder that marriage and motherhood are not the be-all and end-all.

So, as Ferne McCann and Billie Shepherd's shows come to an end, let's hope that ITV takes this opportunity to showcase a wider range of women's stories. It's time for reality TV to evolve and represent the diverse experiences of women in today's society. And as a loyal fan, I can't wait to see what the future holds for the genre.

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