Ant and Dec's Byker Grove makes epic return after 19 years off screens as ITV sign landmark deal

Daily Mail​

13 hours ago

Byker Grove is making a major comeback to screens after 19 years off air in a landmark ITV deal - and fans can already watch.
The hit drama series, which was launched all the way back in 1989 on BBC One, catapulted Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly 's careers.
Playing the roles of PJ and Duncan, the coming of age show followed the Geordie duo and other turbulent lives at a youth centre in Newcastle.
Other stars who got their big break in Byker Grove include Jill Halfpenny and Donna Air.
The groundbreaking series explored controversial storylines and made headlines for depicting the first gay kiss on children's television.
During its run, the show covered social issues such as substance abuse, abortion, child abuse and homophobia.
After an 18 series and a whopping 344 episodes, Byker Grove was brought to an end in 2006.
Now almost two decades on, the series has returned to screens in a deal between ITV and its production company Mitre Studios.
Fans across the UK are now able to stream classic episodes on STV Player, with the show becoming available on ITVX in the near future.
Speaking about its release, Richard Williams, STV's Managing Director, Audience: Video & Technology, said: 'Just when you thought the 90s revival might have been slowing down, we've only gone and brought back one of the seminal TV shows of the decade.
'Byker Grove was an integral part of so many British childhoods and we're delighted that those original viewers – now of a slightly more mature vintage – can relive all the nostalgic action on STV Player. And if any Gen Z viewers want to find out who really started the baggy trousers trend, look no further than Byker Grove!'
Craig Morris, Managing Editor, ITV Channels & ITVX, added: 'We are so excited to bring this iconic coming-of-age series to ITVX, marking the first TV appearances of two ITV stalwarts. Relive all the great moments with us later this year.'
Byker Grove's return to screens comes as Ant and Dec previously revealed how they were working on a reboot of the show.
The plans were first unveiled last year, with the pair telling The One Show how they were developing new storylines.
Dec, 49, said: 'We're still at the very beginning of producing it but we are developing it and it is very early days.
'We are looking at characters and storylines, we are looking at the world because it can be whatever we want it to be. There are a lot of possibilities.'
Ant, 49, added: 'We haven't decided if we're going to be in it yet, I doubt it though maybe just a cameo.'
The I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! presenters met as 13-year-olds on the set of Byker Grove.
In the fifth series, their characters formed a band and later signed a record deal.
The duo went on to record a successful album in real life, scoring a number one hit with Let's Get Ready To Rhumble in 2013 after performing it on Saturday Night Takeaway 19 years after its original release.