The BBC has scrapped iconic comedy show Live at the Apollo as well as Celebrity Mastermind and Blankety Blank in a bid to save £500 million over the next few years.
The stand-up show helped launch the careers of several major British comedians, including the likes of Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Mo Gilligan and Katherine Ryan, since it started airing in September 2004.
The 22-year-old comedy institution won’t immediately vanish from screens, with another series yet to air. Similarly, Celebrity Mastermind has run for 19 seasons, beginning in 2002, and will return for a final season hosted by Clive Myrie before it bows out.
Meanwhile, Blankety Blank has been paused and revived several times since its debut in 1979.
The Chase star Bradley Walsh most recently hosted the festive episode as the face of the latest instalment, which was officially revived by the BBC in 2021.
However, just days ago the 66-year-old confirmed that he no longer has time for the game show in his busy schedule.
(Picture: BBC/Thames/Matt Frost)
‘I just don’t have the time, which is sad because I’ve loved Blankety Blank. It’s been one of my favourite shows, and it’s been brilliant,’ he told Radio Times.
Now, it seems, neither does the BBC, with the show being parked as the national broadcaster aims to get spending under control in a new era of streaming and dwindling TV licences.
‘We are incredibly proud of all three of these much-loved shows and would like to thank everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera, for bringing them to screen and making them such a success over many years,’ the BBC said.
‘Unfortunately, we have to make some really tough choices in light of our funding challenges, and these savings have been identified from the entertainment genre.’
A huge 94% of the UK population use the BBC every month, but fewer than 80% pay the £180 annual licence fee, causing the broadcaster some headaches.
The new BBC director Matt Brittin told MPs earlier this month that the licence fee is ‘yesterday’s model’.
He said: ‘It’s a busted flush, it’s no longer fit for purpose, and that’s why we need to make the case for the BBC and a shift of the licence fee model.’ Although no specific proposal has yet been laid out, he once more posed the previously ruled-out ‘compulsory household levy’.
In this latest drastic measure to address the shift, by far the biggest shock axe is Live At The Apollo, produced by Open Mike Productions, which has been a BBC staple for over two decades.
When it was last renewed in 2023, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment, said: ‘The show has consistently delivered the finest comedy talents to our viewers, and we are excited to keep bringing fresh and hilarious stand-up acts for all to enjoy.’
Fans are mourning its loss online.
‘Really surprised to see Live at the Apollo go. It can’t cost much and has been instrumental in giving many comedians their big TV breaks,’ Daryl Millar wrote.
‘That’s so sad. We have nowhere for new talent to come through. This should always have been Saturday night entertainment,’ PGUK78 echoed.
‘That’s a real shame – so important for giving new talent a platform,’ Jonny Harvey agreed.