Thunderbirds Are Go-ing to a new timeslot! Fans irked as ITV move remainder of cult TV revival to 8am in schedule shake-up

PUBLISHED: 23:19, 4 April 2015 | UPDATED: 23:39, 4 April 2015

Its eagerly-anticipated return enjoyed a prime-time position when it premiered on Saturday.

But fans of Thunderbirds will be disappointed to learn that the remainder of the series has already been moved to a new 8am transmission slot.

Viewers will be forced to endure an early-morning alarm call if they want to see the remainder of the new CGI show, sparking serious online criticism as a result.

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Times are changing: Fans of Thunderbirds will be disappointed to learn that the remainder of the series has already been moved to a new 8am transmission slot

According to insiders, this week's 7pm Saturday slot was only ever a one-off to give the show’s keenly-awaited return maximum PR exposure.

But, from next week and beyond, it will be screened eleven hours earlier - potentially losing a considerable number of viewers as a result.

Fans are already reacting badly to the decision by ITV bosses, claiming that the early-morning transmission will alienate adults who grew up on the original.

One wrote: 'ITV, keep Thunderbirds at 5pm for us overgrown kids, please. 8am on a Saturday does not exist in many people's worlds.'

Frank: Fans are already reacting badly to the decision by ITV bosses, claiming that the early-morning transmission will alienate adults who grew up on the original

According to insiders, this week's 7pm Saturday slot was only ever a one-off to give the show’s keenly-awaited return maximum PR exposure

Another chimed in: 'Did I hear them say Thunderbird's normal time is 8am Saturday? If so, ITV is missing out on the grownup "teatime treat" audience.'

The slew of critical opinion comes just hours after the son of Gerry Anderson, the brains behind the original Thunderbirds, slammed the computer-generated remake for lacking the 'magic' of the classic show.

Jamie Anderson said the CGI characters did not have the same charm as the 'lovingly detailed' miniature puppets.

Risking their audience? Viewers have been telling ITV to retain the show's 7pm weekend slot for family fun

Airing their views: The slew of critical opinion comes just hours after the son of Gerry Anderson, the brains behind the original Thunderbirds, slammed the computer-generated remake

Writing for the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Anderson, whose father died aged 83 in December 2012, said: 'The classic Thunderbirds shows have sometimes attracted fond criticism as "quaint", "naff" and "full of wobbly sets".

'But there is something to be said for real-world physics, the constraints they bring to film-making, and the ingenuity and beauty that results as we grapple with them.

'With CGI, by contrast, anything is possible. There are virtually no limitations. Impossible camera angles and effects can be achieved, and constraints get ever looser.'

Thunderbirds Are Go... and this time they're in CGI!

Back in the day: Scott, Lady Penelope and Virgil in the 1964 incarnation of the hit show

Thunderbirds aired in the UK between 1964 and 1966 and repeated in 1992 and 2002. There were 32 episodes over two series, broadcast in 66 countries.

The show sparked a merchandising frenzy, with more than 3,000 Thunderbirds products sold, so much so that December 1966 was labelled Thunderbirds Christmas.

As with the original show, the remake will feature the adventures of the Tracy family whose mission is to save the world through their secret organisation International Rescue.

Successful: Thunderbirds aired in the UK between 1964 and 1966 and repeated in 1992 and 2002. There were 32 episodes over two series, broadcast in 66 countries

The five brothers, all named after real astronauts on America's Mercury space mission in the early 1960s (Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon and John), all live on Tracy Island in the South Pacific in 2065.

When they hear of trouble anywhere on the planet their swimming pool slides open to allow a rocket (Thunderbird 1) to take off.

There is also an aircraft carrier, submarine and spaceship based on the island.

Thunderbirds Are Go! Trailer released for CGI remake