The study, carried out for the industry magazine Campaign, found that TFI Friday is now thought of by some viewers as equal to Blind Date and Noel's House Party - the sort of TV which viewers categorised as "get your ironing done" viewing.

Fading from its position as a "must-see" show, some said the it had now become formulaic and "naff".

TFI Friday has struggled to make it into Channel 4's top 30 programmes in recent weeks. Evan's programme, made by his own Ginger Media Group, is losing out to BBC Two's The Simpsons on Friday evenings.

'Old Stuff'

One comment from viewers who were surveyed about the show was "it's the same old stuff he was doing two years ago".

According to the survey there has also been a rise in the age group who tune in to watch the show.

In 1996, the year the programme began, 63% of viewers were aged 16 to 34, whereas now only 58% are in that range.

A spokesman for Evans' Ginger Media Group said: "We understand the survey was based on just 32 people.

"However, the facts tell us that the Chris Evans Breakfast Show is the largest commercial breakfast show in the country whose 16-34 year old audience has increased.

"TFI Friday has also increased proportionately year on year with this age group."

The findings are another blow to Evans, who was absent from the nominations for radio's Sony Awards last week for his Virgin Radio Breakfast Show. His Radio 1 rival for that time slot, Zoe Ball, was shortlisted.