The Singapore Grip premiere leaves viewers ‘switching off’ as they complain they’ve ‘no clue what’s going on’

THE Singapore Grip premiere has left viewers 'switching off' as they complain they've 'no clue what's going on'.

The new ITV period drama is set during World War Two and follows a family living in Singapore as the Japanese army invade the city.

The series started in the middle of the Battle of Singapore, with the show's hero Matthew (Luke Treadaway) searching for an unnamed woman amid the fighting.

But the action then jumped back to before the battle to when Matthew arrived in Singapore, with his father - played by Charles Dance - keen for him to take over the family business.

However, the jumping around of the timelines appeared to throw a number of viewers off course and lose track of what was actually happening.

Taking to Twitter, one wrote: ";I was quite looking forward to this series, but I am really struggling to get into the first episode."

Another added: "I can’t be alone in not having a clue about what’s happening? It’s bizarre #TheSingaporeGrip.”

A third tweeted: "Managed the first 30 minutes of #TheSingaporeGrip (although 20 of those were under sufferance). I certainly shan't be bothering with any more."

Meanwhile a fourth wrote: "I don’t have a clue what’s going on tbh."

The Singapore Grip is adapted from Booker Prize winner J.G. Farrell's novel and also stars David Morrissey and Jane Horrocks.

Thankfully, other viewers loved the first episode and couldn't wait to see how the drama unfolded.

One wrote on Twitter: "Watching #TheSingaporeGrip I love the feel of it. Setting the story and building the characters.”

A second tweeted: “#TheSingaporeGrip very good. Better than #asuitableboy! Or #Strike.”

While a third added: “Quite enjoying this. A wee bit slow but has potential I think. Good cast. #thesingaporegrip."

The Singapore Grip continues on Sunday, September 20 at 9pm on ITV.