House Rules beat by ABC’s Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian

House Rules: High Stakes has suffered another humiliating defeat in the ratings. 

Tuesday’s episode of the Channel Seven renovation series pulled in just 465,000 audience members. 

It was defeated by Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian on ABC, which attracted a more impressive 569,000 viewers.

Miriam’s show has been a surprise hit for ABC and was recently picked up by the BBC for international broadcast.

It comes even after the Harry Potter star, 79, recently came under fire for describing her adopted home country as ‘brutal’ and ‘greedy’ ahead of the release of her series. 

During an interview on Today Extra last week, Miriam clarified that she wasn’t referring to all Australians when she made the divisive comments.

‘I was quoted [by the media] as saying, “I think Australia is greedy and brutal.” Well, that’s just not what I said,’ Miriam told host David Campbell. 

‘I said, “I think some Australians are greedy and brutal,” and particularly I think the architecture is awful in places like Surfers Paradise,’ she added.

She went on to complain that the tall buildings in Surfers Paradise, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, are so tall they block out the sun.

‘That, to me, is horrible and not what Australia should be like,’ Miriam said. 

However, Miriam insisted there were plenty of ‘glorious’ places Down Under and that she was willing to learn more about the country.

She then issued a warning to those who have been offended by her comments.

‘People get very antsy, very quickly,’ she said. ‘I’m not going to change! I’m not going to keep my mouth shut. Because that’s not what who I am!’ 

Meanwhile, Johanna Griggs left her role as host of House Rules after seven years before the start of the current High Stakes season.

But it might not be long until she returns to the renovation program if Channel Seven executives have their way.

According to Woman’s Day, network bosses are desperate to get Johanna back on the reality TV show following this season’s disappointing ratings.

Joh shocked fans last year when she revealed she was leaving House Rules, and in April they campaigned for her return.

‘Everyone at Seven absolutely adores Joh, and they’ll do anything to get her back,’ an insider told Woman’s Day. 

The former competitive swimmer left the show to take a more active role in the Seven Sport team and help with coverage for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

While she still appears on Better Homes and Gardens, the Olympics and other sporting events have been cancelled, postponed or scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

When Joh resigned as presenter, she was replaced by two co-hosts, Jamie Durie and Abbey Gelmi.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Saul Myers and cricket WAG-turned-interior designer Kyly Clarke also appear as judges on the revamped series. 

The 2020 series hasn’t done well in the ratings, and some at the network believe the only way to save the show is by bringing back Joh in 2021.

‘It might not return next year, but if it does, they’re going to do everything in their power to get Joh involved at some capacity,’ said the source.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.

House Rules: Sky High airs on Seven from 7pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Monday