The BBC has cancelled iconic comedy show Live at the Apollo, along with Celebrity Mastermind and Blankety Blank, as part of a £500 million cost-cutting programme over the next few years.
Live at the Apollo legacy
The stand-up series, which first aired in September 2004, helped launch the careers of major British comedians including Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Mo Gilligan and Katherine Ryan. Its cancellation marks the end of a 22-year run.
Other shows affected
Celebrity Mastermind, which has run for 19 seasons since 2002, and Blankety Blank, first broadcast in 1979 and revived most recently in 2021, are also being parked. Bradley Walsh, who hosted the festive revival, confirmed days ago that he no longer had time for the show. '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.
Funding challenges
The BBC stated: '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. 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.'
Although 94% of the UK population uses the BBC every month, fewer than 80% pay the £180 annual licence fee, putting pressure on the broadcaster's finances as streaming services grow.
