BBC axes Live at the Apollo after 22 years, plus Blankety Blank and Celebrity Mastermind

The BBC has confirmed that it is dropping three popular entertainment shows: Live at the Apollo, Blankety Blank and Celebrity Mastermind. The cancellations are part of a wide-ranging cost-cutting drive aimed at saving £500 million over three years.

Cost-cutting and declining ratings

BBC Content is targeting at least £100 million in annual recurring reductions, which will cut original television content by 100 to 150 hours per year. Falling viewer numbers also contributed to the decisions. Live at the Apollo's audience fell from 1.3 million in 2018 to about 660,000 for its latest series. Celebrity Mastermind dropped from an average of 4 million in 2017 to 1.7 million. Blankety Blank, which was revived in 2021 with host Bradley Walsh, saw viewership fall from 5.5 million for its premiere to 2.3 million.

Viewer reactions

BBC viewers have taken to Reddit to share their thoughts, particularly on Live at the Apollo. Many feel the show has suffered because comedians now gain fame on TikTok and YouTube first. One viewer wrote: "Apollo has dropped off; most comics are on TikTok and YouTube first, and their shows are often televised or sell out at arena. Don't see the point of the BBC paying loads for what is essentially a stand up show." Another said: "Live at the Apollo used to be on the top of my watch list. Now we're flooded with comedian's standup, either in segments (YouTube or TikTok) or full hour-long specials nearly every week." A third noted they didn't realise the show was still airing. Others commented on the other shows: "I won't miss Blankety Blank, but Apollo is a shame. It used to be really good and introduced some great acts in its day but it had really dropped off." And one viewer expressed surprise about Celebrity Mastermind, saying it must be cheap to make. Reports indicate that both Live at the Apollo and Celebrity Mastermind have one final series already recorded that will air before they end.

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