Byker Grove is axed - TV Programmes

bronson · 11-05-2006, 07:52

By SARA NATHAN
TV Editor

BYKER Grove is being axed after 17 years, TV Biz can reveal.

The BBC1 kids’ show that made telly favourites Ant and Dec famous will end after the next series.

The cheeky Geordie lads became pals playing PJ and Duncan on the drama.

They even launched their pop career on the back of it — getting to No1 with Let’s Get Ready To Rumble.

Other original Grovers include Donna Air and former EastEnder Jill Halfpenny.

Grovey chick ... Donna Air

The drama, set in a Newcastle youth club, first hit our screens in 1989 and launched as a series in 1990.

It tackled controversial stories like drug addiction, child abuse, teen pregnancy and abortion.

And in 1995 it became the first kids’ drama to show gay scenes when Noddy Fishwick kissed Gary Hendrix in the back of a cinema.

BBC Children’s TV boss Richard Deverell confirmed the 18th series — starting in September — will be the last.

Old Grover ... Jill Halfpenny

Mr Deverell said: “It has been a great programme with some groundbreaking storylines over the years. And it spawned some excellent talent.”

He plans to concentrate on more programmes for primary school children

dangermouse1986 · 11-05-2006, 08:14

Gutted! Really gutted!

Appeared as an extra on it in the mid 90's! Everyone was so nice!!

rubberymonkey2 · 11-05-2006, 08:21

I think its probably come to a natural end. Childrens programmes have changed a lot since the 80's/90's and while im too old for Byker these days I think it does look tired and dated. None of the kids or teenagers in my family watch it.

I think Grange Hill should have been put out of its misery years ago too, its so far removed from a real comprehensive that i would be surprised if any children could actually relate to it anymore.

I just hope the BBC invest the money saved in other quality kids programmes, more drama and documentary and dont just give kids Blue Peter 5 days a week, or endless Scooby Doo.

gemz1978 · 11-05-2006, 08:36

Byker Grove!

What memories. Personally, Spuggy's worries over her cleavage (or lack thereof) was a corker! And also when Ant went blind when a paintball gun was fired at him. (not that that's funny or anything).

Geoff was class aswell. Brilliant!

lincsvip · 11-05-2006, 08:52

not surprised. not nearly as good as it used to be.

AcerBen · 11-05-2006, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronson

By SARA NATHAN
TV Editor

They even launched their pop career on the back of it — getting to No1 with Let’s Get Ready To Rumble.

No9... sloppy Sun

Simon Jackson · 11-05-2006, 10:44

Did the Sun forget to type Andrew Hayton Smith who was there during the late 90's/early 00's?

Tele addict · 11-05-2006, 10:58

I thought this had been axed ages ago.

ManchesterLad · 11-05-2006, 11:15

Its never been as good since Ant , Dec and Donner Air Left

cell block h · 11-05-2006, 11:24

i allways hated it

stirlingguy1 · 11-05-2006, 11:31

Way Aye man! Spuggy! She was fab! Wonder where she is now.

Rocket Romano · 11-05-2006, 12:03

Its always been rubbish. Half the cast were from Sunderland at one point, yet trading themselves off as Geordies and the obvious trivia cliche being...its an old pub in Benwell/Scotswood and nowhere near Byker

bah humbug

Ned · 11-05-2006, 13:50

Ha, occasionally going to/from school I would see Geoff in the baker's buying a pie as we went past. It was the only time I ever saw him even though he lived close by.

Eclipse80 · 11-05-2006, 13:51

I actually cried when PJ or Duncan were blinded in that paint wars game

. But it was a rubbish programme though. Cannot believe it was 17 years. I really feel old now

JonnyCool · 11-05-2006, 14:05

Im pretty convinced that in the days of Ant & Dec and co. that the day of the week they were on came across the bottom of the screen.

Might have imagined it tho....

jonny84 · 11-05-2006, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyCool

Im pretty convinced that in the days of Ant & Dec and co. that the day of the week they were on came across the bottom of the screen.

Might have imagined it tho....

No they did that! It's not your imagination!

JonnyCool · 11-05-2006, 14:26

Phew!! I thought that was cool.

actual_soap · 11-05-2006, 15:35

went majorly downhill after geoff died...blub

OK Then!!! · 11-05-2006, 15:40

The whole show was a hiddious mess!! Bad acting, stupid storylines and one of the worst shows ever. Kids TV has chanegd and Byker Grove isn't with it at all!!!

Should have been axed years ago!!!

Martin Phillp · 11-05-2006, 15:43

Byker Grove was excellent when I was growing up.

Does anyone remember Spuggie, PJ and Duncan, the posh girl from London who went out with the hard nut?

BB-mega-addict · 11-05-2006, 15:47

I used to love Byker Grove although the quality of it declined slightly recently. What makes it worse is that the money they would have been using for Byker will now go to awful primary school shows. CBBC needs to have something for young teens! Not more episodes of Tweenies etc!

BoredStudent · 11-05-2006, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB-mega-addict

I used to love Byker Grove although the quality of it declined slightly recently. What makes it worse is that the money they would have been using for Byker will now go to awful primary school shows. CBBC needs to have something for young teens! Not more episodes of Tweenies etc!

At the end of the day, CBBC is aimed at a younger audience (8-12). The BBC already announced they were looking into developing something for teens, as its a market that as of yet, the BBC don't really cater for.

Loz_Fraggle · 11-05-2006, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by actual_soap

went majorly downhill after geoff died...blub

Agreed, Geoff was Byker, I stopped caring about it years ago, it went right down the pan..

Martin Phillp · 11-05-2006, 16:35

Once Geoff left, Byker became a different show.

I'll miss the line "going doon the grove!"

FootlessMichael · 11-05-2006, 16:51

The original opening titles were quality

Havent watched the show in donkeys years. Do they still have that funny laugh on the end credits?

11-05-2006, 07:52	#1
bronson Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,240	Byker Grove is axed By SARA NATHAN TV Editor BYKER Grove is being axed after 17 years, TV Biz can reveal. The BBC1 kids’ show that made telly favourites Ant and Dec famous will end after the next series. The cheeky Geordie lads became pals playing PJ and Duncan on the drama. They even launched their pop career on the back of it — getting to No1 with Let’s Get Ready To Rumble. Other original Grovers include Donna Air and former EastEnder Jill Halfpenny. Grovey chick ... Donna Air The drama, set in a Newcastle youth club, first hit our screens in 1989 and launched as a series in 1990. It tackled controversial stories like drug addiction, child abuse, teen pregnancy and abortion. And in 1995 it became the first kids’ drama to show gay scenes when Noddy Fishwick kissed Gary Hendrix in the back of a cinema. BBC Children’s TV boss Richard Deverell confirmed the 18th series — starting in September — will be the last. Old Grover ... Jill Halfpenny Mr Deverell said: “It has been a great programme with some groundbreaking storylines over the years. And it spawned some excellent talent.” He plans to concentrate on more programmes for primary school children

11-05-2006, 08:14	#2
dangermouse1986 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Services: Sky+,Sky Digital, Sky Max Broadband, T-Mobile Staff Tariff, Freeview Posts: 1,471	Gutted! Really gutted! Appeared as an extra on it in the mid 90's! Everyone was so nice!!

11-05-2006, 08:21	#3
rubberymonkey2 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gloucester Services: Sky Digital, Freeview, Bulldog Broadband Posts: 1,525	I think its probably come to a natural end. Childrens programmes have changed a lot since the 80's/90's and while im too old for Byker these days I think it does look tired and dated. None of the kids or teenagers in my family watch it. I think Grange Hill should have been put out of its misery years ago too, its so far removed from a real comprehensive that i would be surprised if any children could actually relate to it anymore. I just hope the BBC invest the money saved in other quality kids programmes, more drama and documentary and dont just give kids Blue Peter 5 days a week, or endless Scooby Doo.

11-05-2006, 08:36	#4
gemz1978 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Services: Sky Digital, Freeview, Pipex ADSL Posts: 904	Byker Grove! What memories. Personally, Spuggy's worries over her cleavage (or lack thereof) was a corker! And also when Ant went blind when a paintball gun was fired at him. (not that that's funny or anything). Geoff was class aswell. Brilliant!

11-05-2006, 08:52	#5
lincsvip Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lincoln Posts: 363	not surprised. not nearly as good as it used to be.

11-05-2006, 10:44	#7
Simon Jackson Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 7,424	Did the Sun forget to type Andrew Hayton Smith who was there during the late 90's/early 00's?

11-05-2006, 10:58	#8
Tele addict Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,183	I thought this had been axed ages ago.

11-05-2006, 11:15	#9
ManchesterLad Banned User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Manchester, England, Uk Services: NTL Family pack+SkySports , NTL BroadBand, NTL phone, Freeview Posts: 2,430	Its never been as good since Ant , Dec and Donner Air Left

11-05-2006, 11:24	#10
cell block h Banned User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 93	i allways hated it

11-05-2006, 11:31	#11
stirlingguy1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belfast Posts: 3,872	Way Aye man! Spuggy! She was fab! Wonder where she is now.

11-05-2006, 12:03	#12
Rocket Romano Banned User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alicante (Sum) Durham (Winter) Services: Sky, AOL, Telefonica, DVD-R Posts: 4,115	Its always been rubbish. Half the cast were from Sunderland at one point, yet trading themselves off as Geordies and the obvious trivia cliche being...its an old pub in Benwell/Scotswood and nowhere near Byker bah humbug

11-05-2006, 13:50	#13
Ned Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Newcastle Services: Telewest, Nebula DigiTV, SkyStar2, Blueyonder 2Mb, Astra 19.2 D+ Posts: 75	Ha, occasionally going to/from school I would see Geoff in the baker's buying a pie as we went past. It was the only time I ever saw him even though he lived close by.

11-05-2006, 13:51	#14
Eclipse80 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,231	I actually cried when PJ or Duncan were blinded in that paint wars game . But it was a rubbish programme though. Cannot believe it was 17 years. I really feel old now

11-05-2006, 14:05	#15
JonnyCool Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Birmingham Services: Freeview Posts: 769 Blog Entries: 1	Im pretty convinced that in the days of Ant & Dec and co. that the day of the week they were on came across the bottom of the screen. Might have imagined it tho....

11-05-2006, 14:26	#17
JonnyCool Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Birmingham Services: Freeview Posts: 769 Blog Entries: 1	Phew!! I thought that was cool.

11-05-2006, 15:35	#18
actual_soap Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: locked in the diary room Services: Sky Digital / TalkTalk Posts: 3,446	went majorly downhill after geoff died...blub

11-05-2006, 15:40	#19
OK Then!!! Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,863	The whole show was a hiddious mess!! Bad acting, stupid storylines and one of the worst shows ever. Kids TV has chanegd and Byker Grove isn't with it at all!!! Should have been axed years ago!!!

11-05-2006, 15:43	#20
Martin Phillp Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Services: Freeview (Sharp TU-R160H) and DAB Posts: 11,421	Byker Grove was excellent when I was growing up. Does anyone remember Spuggie, PJ and Duncan, the posh girl from London who went out with the hard nut?

11-05-2006, 15:47	#21
BB-mega-addict Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,595	I used to love Byker Grove although the quality of it declined slightly recently. What makes it worse is that the money they would have been using for Byker will now go to awful primary school shows. CBBC needs to have something for young teens! Not more episodes of Tweenies etc!

11-05-2006, 16:35	#24
Martin Phillp Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Services: Freeview (Sharp TU-R160H) and DAB Posts: 11,421	Once Geoff left, Byker became a different show. I'll miss the line "going doon the grove!"

11-05-2006, 16:51	#25
FootlessMichael Banned User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,381	The original opening titles were quality Havent watched the show in donkeys years. Do they still have that funny laugh on the end credits?