Viewers really thought Age Before Beauty was a Cutting It remake

Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield’s snappy new salon drama Age Before Beauty served up secret love affairs and new characters in its debut episode on Tuesday night. And for many viewers, it all felt very similar to another BBC show: Cutting It.

You remember Cutting It, right? The BBC drama of 2002-5, which, like Age Before Beauty, was set in Manchester and penned by Horsfield? The show that followed the lives and loves of a hairdressing team? And starred Amanda Holden and Ben Daniels?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QvatznQX9g&list=PLbs-Pk9dtKb-0E-dpbT70eUHE6_o8bxd5

Well, Twitter certainly didn't forget…

https://twitter.com/becca_overton/status/1024389294104948736

https://twitter.com/Beauvale3/status/1024402098195259392

In fact, many were confused about whether the new BBC drama was a sequel or reboot of Cutting it…

https://twitter.com/motheradamplay/status/1024392296920489985

https://twitter.com/pipdivall/status/1024386307076829185

https://twitter.com/SeasonOneTV/status/1024385975487787015

https://twitter.com/MrDCPhillips/status/1024385324183642114

So, how do the two shows fare head-to-head? While some thought Age Before Beauty was a cut above its predecessor with its "brilliant writing" and "excellent" cast …

https://twitter.com/JaegerBooth/status/1024392860139962368

https://twitter.com/Arlene_HWycombe/status/1024391673378467841

https://twitter.com/susanjen78/status/1024408462753710081

…but some were left tearing their hair out after “clichés” and “forced” acting…

https://twitter.com/THarriganJames/status/1024430219686539264

https://twitter.com/Lisey_loo/status/1024409049977311233

https://twitter.com/sharonfrommanc/status/1024411168407003137