TV
Jim Davidson has quit as host of The Generation Game, it has been announced this morning.
Davidson will leave the programme at the end of its current series in April, in an uninterrupted run of seven series - longer than that of both Larry Grayson and Bruce Forsyth.
Currently in the middle of a sell-out national tour, Jim said: "I’ve had a fantastic time on The Generation Game but after seven years I feel that now is the right time for some new challenges. As soon as my current tour comes to an end I’ll be packing thermals for my trip to the Falklands and on my return it will be straight into work on my first sitcom in 12 years."
"Jim is a fantastic entertainer who knows how to amuse audiences young and old," said Lorraine Heggessey, BBC One controller. "He has done a terrific job on the Generation Game and I am sure he will continue to delight viewers with his new ideas for the channel. Jim will be a hard act to follow so we need to think carefully about what’s next for the Generation Game."
The Generation Game will finish off its current series with an hour long special looking back at Jim’s favourite moments from the last seven series. A new series with new presenters and a redeveloped format will launch in 2003.
Davidson will leave the programme at the end of its current series in April, in an uninterrupted run of seven series - longer than that of both Larry Grayson and Bruce Forsyth.
Currently in the middle of a sell-out national tour, Jim said: "I’ve had a fantastic time on The Generation Game but after seven years I feel that now is the right time for some new challenges. As soon as my current tour comes to an end I’ll be packing thermals for my trip to the Falklands and on my return it will be straight into work on my first sitcom in 12 years."
"Jim is a fantastic entertainer who knows how to amuse audiences young and old," said Lorraine Heggessey, BBC One controller. "He has done a terrific job on the Generation Game and I am sure he will continue to delight viewers with his new ideas for the channel. Jim will be a hard act to follow so we need to think carefully about what’s next for the Generation Game."
The Generation Game will finish off its current series with an hour long special looking back at Jim’s favourite moments from the last seven series. A new series with new presenters and a redeveloped format will launch in 2003.
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