Beloved British comedy duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have confirmed that they are helping reboot the show that pub them on the map, Byker Grove.
As you we’re sure most of you are aware, before we had Ant and Dec there was PJ and Duncan and it’s fair to day that their career may never have been were it not for those breakthrough roles on the hit children’s show, Byker Grove.
Set in their hometown of Newcastle and airing from 1989 all the way up until 2006, the hit show which rose to popularity throughout the 1990s focused on the everyday lives of kids who attended a youth club of the same name.
Now though, more than 17 years after its final episode, the pair are helping reboot the show for a new generation and Byker Grove’s doors are opening once again.
PJ and Dunc—sorry, Ant and Dec confirm Byker Grove reboot
Working alongside TV companies Mitre Studios and Fulwell 73, the show’s two former stars will be helping the production team to capture the essence of the original programme as well as update it for a new audience.
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Set be renamed simply as Byker, Ant and Dec said they are looking forward to not only adapting the show for modern kids’ telly but “those who remember it as fondly as we do.”
The pair went on to admit that it’s obviously very close to their hearts and “couldn’t be more excited to be giving it a new lease of life” but more importantly that, on a community level, “it will help provide sustainable training and employment in front and behind the camera for talent in the North East.”
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That’s the sort of stuff we like to hear; the spirit of PJ and Duncan is still very much alive and well even today. Here they are 27 years ago talking about the first time they ever met, which in itself is a bit of a weird thought, as us watching at home pretty much see them as almost inseparable.
#OnThisDay 1996: PJ And Duncan were on Pebble Mill talking Byker Grove, pop and their new alias. By all accounts, these lads are working at a "takeaway" of some sort now. pic.twitter.com/IcVqgzAvun
The impact and influenceit had over multiple generations of those growing up in and around Newcastle, the Tyne and the Wear is hard to overlook, with it being as significant to local culture as the likes of Corrie probably was or maybe even still is for us Mancs.
With countless other now-familiar TV faces having first got their shot on the show, the legacy of Byker Grove in the North East can still be felt today. Even current Newcastle icon Sam Fender recreated the famous paintball scene featuring PJ and Ducan a couple of years back.
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It is yet to be confirmed whether or not the show will return to the BBC after nearly two decades, but Ant and Dec did tease potential returning cameos, as well as joking that they’ll spare us a musical comeback. Regardless, we look forward to seeing what Byker Grove looks like all these years later.
The best part is, it’s not the only ’90s TV favourite returning to our screens either…
Featured Image — BBC/Mitre Studios (via Twitter)/IMBb/Ant and Dec
TV & Showbiz
Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap
Danny Jones
Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.
Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.
Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.
They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.
As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon
‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.
Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.
The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…
Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.
Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.
With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.
Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years
Danny Jones
Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.
McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.
However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.
Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.
The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.
His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.
Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”
Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.
But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.
As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.
Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.
Danny Jones -
4th July 2023 
