TV & Showbiz

CITV to officially be taken off air for good next week after 40 years

It's the end of the road for the cult-classic children's TV channel.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 21st August 2023

ITV has confirmed that its dedicated children’s channel CITV is to officially be taken off air for good next week.

After nearly four decades entertaining youngsters all across the UK, the broadcaster announced back in March that it would be the end of the road for the cult-classic children‘s channel, as it would be taken off air for good in favour of a new streaming-only platform called ITVX Kids.

CITV first launched all the way back in 1983 as a block of programmes on the ITV network, before relaunching in 2016 as its own dedicated channel.

The CITV brand is famous for shows such as Horrid Henry, Rosie and Jim, My Parents Are Aliens, Sooty, Jungle Run, and classics such as Neil Buchanan’s Art Attack, and Ant and Dec’s classic SMTV Live, as well as a number of popular animated series like Mr Bean, Thunderbirds Are Go, Teen Titans Go!, and Inspector Gadget.

CITV to be officially taken off air for good next month after 40 years / Credit: ITV

But despite the beloved channel‘s continued success, it’s officially set to close for good next week on Friday 1 September.

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An ITV spokesperson explained back in March that the decision to axe CITV came “as a consequence of this new streaming approach” and in response to the change in the ways children and their parents access content.

It’s after BARB data showed that overall viewing figures for kids’ TV channels have declined by -62% since 2019.

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CITV will be replaced with ITX Kids from the start of next month / Credit: ITV

As mentioned, it’s already been confirmed that CITV will be replaced by a new streaming service called ITVX Kids.

“We’re really excited to launch this dedicated destination for kids on ITVX,” explained Craig Morris, Managing Editor of ITVX – who added that ITVX Kids will be home to “a wealth of content including new series, recognisable brands, and existing favourites for a range of ages” and will be accessible all in one “child-safe area”.

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He added that all ITVX Kids content will be available to stream for free, with the option for parents to choose ad-free viewing through a subscription to ITVX Premium.

Featured Image – ITV

TV & Showbiz

Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.

Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.

His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.

Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.

Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute

He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.

Rest in peace.

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Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons

TV & Showbiz

Gavin and Stacey will return with a 2024 Christmas special for its final episode

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gavin and Stacey new Christmas special 2024 last ever episode

After some pretty big rumblings earlier this year, it’s finally been confirmed that Gavin and Stacey will be returning for a Christmas special this year and what will be its last-ever episode.

The beloved British comedy last aired back in 2019 with their previous Christmas special and fans of the show have been crying out for more ever since.

Well, it turns out they’ll be getting just one more go around the block as co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed that they have now finished writing their third and final Xmas special which will tie a festive bow on the trio of series which started all the way back in 2007.

Sharing a picture of the script on social media, the pair wrote: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James”.

That’s an early present if we’ve ever seen one.

The news comes just a couple of months after co-writer and co-star Jones went out of her way to rubbish the rumours live on the radio, stating that the so-called sources who had claimed a deal had been struck between the BBC and Netflix had been sorely mistaken.

However, what was actually going on was a bit of a red herring as she carefully chose to talk down any notions of another series but didn’t categorically dismiss the potential Christmas special.

In fact, she actually went on to add: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”

And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Well played, Nessa.

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As for details surrounding the final chapter in the Gavin and Stacey story, we have very few details at this stage but fans of the iconic show will already be wondering how they might pick up from where certain threads left off.

With Corden and former co-star Matthew Horner having famously parted ways several years back too, it will be interesting to see whether those fences will be mended in time for the final-ever episode of the show that put them both on the map.

Production companies Baby Cow, Corden’s Fulwell 73 and Jones’ Tidy Productions are all behind the special and, given the momentous occasion, it will likely have a primetime slot on the TV guide when it finally rolls around this holiday season.

So get your remotes, baubles and bhunas at the ready because Gavin and Stacey is coming back for one last time and it’s sure to be a TV event that people all across the UK will remember for years to come.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — BBC/James Corden (via Instagram)

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