'Iron Chef Australia' facing the axe?

Iron Chef Australia is facing cancellation after only one series, it has been reported.

The television cooking competition, which was based on the popular Iron Chef America, debuted last October on Channel Seven to poor viewing figures despite TV bosses spending a rumoured $20 million (£12m) on the franchise.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the series could not survive in its Tuesday night time slot against Top Gear Australia, starting with 1.129 million viewers and finishing with less than 800,000 in its November finale.

Guillaume Brahimi, who was one of the celebrity chefs on the show alongside Neil Perry and Guy Grossi, said: "As a chef on the show, it's a no-win situation. As a professional I am expected to win the challenges but if I'm beaten by a challenger then he is the hero. So either way, I lose."

Last year, Perry admitted that he underestimated the "pressure" and "stress" he would be under in the contest.

A Seven Network spokesperson yesterday announced that "no decision has yet been made" on the future of the show.