Image caption Clare Balding hosts the round-up programme

The BBC has bowed to pressure and changed the controversial format of its Wimbledon highlights programme after mounting criticism.

Wimbledon 2Day, hosted by Clare Balding, saw presenters mingle with a live audience and included funny home-video clips alongside daily highlights.

In its review, the Guardian said: "The whole show is a mess."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Of course we listen to audience feedback and that helps to shape the changes we make."

In a scathing review in the Daily Mail, the show was referred to as "super right-on" and "tooth-achingly trendy".

Image copyright Twitter

As criticism mounted during the first week, Balding and guests were moved to seats while the length of tennis highlights increased from 21 minutes on Monday to 33 minutes on Friday, said the Guardian.

On Friday's edition, former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe addressed the criticism saying: "Clare, they're coming after us, the hell with these people."

Much of the viewers' ire was aimed at the broadcast coming from a studio in the Gatsby Club, a private members' club close to Wimbledon.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "We said from the outset that Wimbledon 2Day would evolve throughout the championship. Of course we listen to audience feedback and that helps to shape the changes we make.

"We have moved to a new location, on top of the Centre Court building, which gives an excellent backdrop of the heart of Wimbledon, as the championship builds to its climax."

'Victory for western civilisation'

Viewers have been quick to respond to the news of the format change.

Simon Rose tweeted: "Not surprised, it's horrific," while Simon Marsden added: "Now if they can just get the spelling sorted out as well..."

David Winner was obviously impressed with the decision, tweeting: "One small victory for western civilisation: Wimbledon 2Day loses its studio audience."

Balding replaced John Inverdale as the host of the BBC's Wimbledon highlights show, two years after he was accused of making sexist comments about women's champion Marion Bartoli.

The BBC received almost 700 complaints when he suggested the French player was "never going to be a looker".