Latest news with #BykerGrove
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 90s series finally available to stream in Scotland as fans praise ‘nostalgic' bliss
BACK ON THE BOX Iconic 90s series finally available to stream in Scotland as fans praise 'nostalgic' bliss AN ICONIC 1990s TV show is now available to stream for Scots fans. Telly lovers will be able to get the legendary British drama which became a must-watch for the nations teens. 4 Byker Grove was an iconic must-watch for teens Credit: STV/ITV 4 It launched the careers of Ant and Dec Credit: Alamy 4 It will be back on screens Credit: Rex Features Byker Grove followed the lives of youngsters living in Newcastle. The now-legendary show aired in the nineties and early noughties. It launched the careers of TV legends Ant and Dec, who's characters PJ and Duncan became household favourites. So much so they were catapulted into more fame with their music career off the back of the show, including much-loved tune 'Let's Get Ready To Rhumble'. The show was considered a trailblazer for tackling issues like drug addiction, child abuse, homophobia and abortion. But those who grew up with The Grove will be able to enjoy it again. Byker Grove will soon be added to the STV Player after telly bosses cut a deal with Ant and Dec's production company Mitre Studios. Mitre own the rights to Byker Grove and have been working with the TV channels ITV and STV to relaunch the series. The launch date currently isn't known with TV chiefs remaining tight-lipped. All they have said is it will be back on screens later this year. Watch as Ant and Dec bring back their classic 90s Byker Grove roles - live on I'm A Celeb 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, said: '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.' Ed Sleeman, MD at Mitre Studios added: 'We're delighted to be teaming up with ITVX and STV Player to give a new generation of viewers the opportunity to watch this iconic series from the start and to see where it all began for Ant & Dec.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ant and Dec's Byker Grove makes epic return after 19 years off screens as ITV sign landmark deal
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.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Ant and Dec teen drama Byker Grove to return to screens in ITV streaming deal
ITV is to stream the teen drama Byker Grove, which launched the careers of Britain's Got Talent hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, for the first time. The teen drama, which ran between 1989 and 2006 on BBC One, is currently available to watch for free on STV Player and will be made available on ITVX later this year. Craig Morris, managing editor of ITV Channels and ITVX, said: "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." The show also launched the careers of actors Jill Halfpenny and Donna Air and followed the lives and relationships of young people at a youth club called the Grove in the Byker area of Newcastle. Byker Grove was known for tackling social issues, such as drug addiction, child abuse, homophobia and abortion, and in 1994, the series featured what is thought to be the first gay kiss on UK children's TV, when character Noddy Fishwick kissed Gary Hendrix at the back of a cinema. McPartlin and Donnelly played PJ and Duncan respectively in the series and went on to enjoy chart success under their characters' names with eight UK top 20 singles, including the number one Let's Get Ready To Rhumble. The show was also the starting point for former writer Catherine Johnson, who went on to pen hit musical Mamma Mia!, and Tom Hooper, who directed episodes of the show in 1997 and went on to win an Oscar for best director for his work on The King's Speech. The show being made available for streaming comes as part of a deal with McPartlin and Donnelly's production company Mitre Studios, which owns the rights to the series. As well as hosting ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent, the pair have also presented I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Ant And Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway since leaving Byker Grove.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary 90s kids show coming to streaming for first time ever – after launching the careers of TV's biggest stars
Scroll to find out where fans will be able to watch the beloved programme beloved series Legendary 90s kids show coming to streaming for first time ever – after launching the careers of TV's biggest stars Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ICONIC 90s kids show is coming to streaming for the first time ever. The popular show made multiple cast members into enduring household names. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Byker Grove is coming to streaming for the first time Credit: ITV/STV 4 The popular kids drama launched Ant & Dec's careers Credit: Alamy 4 Jill Halfpenny featured on Byker Grove early in her career Credit: Rex Features Classic episodes of Byker Grove will be available to stream for free on STV Player and ITVX. Ant & Dec featured prominently in the series, playing best friends P.J. and Duncan. The streaming services have partnered with Ant & Dec's production company Mitre Studios - which owns the rights to Byker Grove - in order to relaunch the series. Viewers across the UK can stream it now on STV Player and on ITVX from later this year. Ant & Dec's characters, PJ & Duncan were among the most popular and enjoyed chart success with eight Top 20 singles - including Let's Get Ready to Rhumble. Having launched on BBC One in 1989, Byker Grove fast became an after-school viewing staple for teenagers. The series takes place in Byker, Newcastle - while following the lives of young people at local youth club, the Grove. During its run, Byker Grove tackled social issues such as abortion, drug addiction and homophobia. In 1994, it also featured the first gay kiss on UK children's TV - when character Noddy Fishwick kissed his friend Gary Hendrix. Past cast members also include Jill Halfpenny, who featured from 1989 to 1992. Watch as Ant and Dec bring back their classic 90s Byker Grove roles - live on I'm A Celeb In addition, Donna Air starred in four series from 1992 until 1995. Byker Grove follows another legendary British drama, Brookside onto STV Player. The streaming service relaunched classic episodes of the iconic Merseyside soap. 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, said: '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.' Ed Sleeman, MD at Mitre Studios added: 'We're delighted to be teaming up with ITVX and STV Player to give a new generation of viewers the opportunity to watch this iconic series from the start and to see where it all began for Ant & Dec.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary 90s kids show coming to streaming for first time ever – after launching the careers of TV's biggest stars
AN ICONIC 90s kids show is coming to streaming for the first time ever. The popular show made multiple cast members into enduring household names. 4 4 4 Classic episodes of Byker Grove will be available to stream for free on STV Player and ITVX. Ant & Dec featured prominently in the series, playing best friends P.J. and Duncan. The streaming services have partnered with Ant & Dec's production company Mitre Studios - which owns the rights to Byker Grove - in order to relaunch the series. Viewers across the UK can stream it now on STV Player and on ITVX from later this year. Ant & Dec's characters, PJ & Duncan were among the most popular and enjoyed chart success with eight Top 20 singles - including Let's Get Ready to Rhumble. Having launched on BBC One in 1989, Byker Grove fast became an after-school viewing staple for teenagers. The series takes place in Byker, Newcastle - while following the lives of young people at local youth club, the Grove. During its run, Byker Grove tackled social issues such as abortion, drug addiction and homophobia. In 1994, it also featured the first gay kiss on UK children's TV - when character Noddy Fishwick kissed his friend Gary Hendrix. Past cast members also include Jill Halfpenny, who featured from 1989 to 1992. In addition, Donna Air starred in four series from 1992 until 1995. Byker Grove follows another legendary British drama, Brookside onto STV Player. The streaming service relaunched classic episodes of the iconic Merseyside soap. 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. Ant and Dec's incredible career ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990. The two went on to have chart success under their characters' names - including their 1994 No1 smash hit Let's Get Ready To Rhumble. They haven't looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV. Here's a rundown of some of their most popular shows - plus one "dud". The Ant & Dec Show - this late afternoon kids' entertainment series ran from 1995-1996 for 17 episodes Ant & Dec Unzipped - the twosome jumped from ITV to Channel 4 for this children's sketch show in 1997 SM:TV Live - the duo teamed up with Cat Deeley in 1998 for Saturday morning mayhem including the classic Wonkey Donkey game Friends Like These - the Geordie pair hopped channels again, landing on BBC One to present this game show from 1999 until 2001 Pop Idol - before The X Factor there was Pop Idol, which ran for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 and saw Michelle McManus and Will Young crowned the winners I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - the reality TV show began in 2002, with Dec presenting all 23 seasons, even one without sidekick Ant as Holly Willoughby stepped up Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway - this show also began in 2002, but the lads said the 2024 offering would be their last PokerFace - Ant and Dec created this game show which aired from 2006-2007. with a top prize of £1million. Britain's Got Talent - the TV series began in 2007 with the pair's backstage antics loved by fans. They also took part in silly competitions on Stephen Mulhern 's ITV spin-off Britain's Got More Talent Red Or Black - the show only aired for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. It was one of the pair's rare "flops" with Dec admitting "we got it wrong" Ant & Dec's Limitless Win - the pair had another success on their hands when this show hit screens in 2022 "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, said: '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.' Ed Sleeman, MD at Mitre Studios added: 'We're delighted to be teaming up with ITVX and STV Player to give a new generation of viewers the opportunity to watch this iconic series from the start and to see where it all began for Ant & Dec.' 4
