Donna Air is set to reunite with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly following the announcement of a Byker Grove reboot. The original series, which aired on the BBC from 1989 to 2006, launched the careers of several actors, including Air, Jill Halfpenny, Andrew Hayden-Smith, and Charlie Hunnam.
The new series, titled 'Byker', will be produced by Ant and Dec's Mitre Studios alongside Fulwell 73. The show is aimed at a primetime audience and will focus on the challenges faced by modern teenagers. Filming is expected to take place across Newcastle and Sunderland, with a commitment to hiring local talent both on and off screen.
Ant and Dec, who found fame as PJ and Duncan on the original show, will serve as executive producers. Donnelly expressed excitement about the project, stating it will 'help shine a spotlight on the North East and the talent the region has to offer'. McPartlin added that they 'owe such a lot to Byker Grove and the North East'.
The original Byker Grove was set in a youth club in Newcastle and was known for its use of local accents. It became an instant hit and led to Ant and Dec's successful music career, including the Brit Award-nominated single 'Let's Get Ready to Rhumble'. The final episode aired in 2006.
It has not yet been confirmed which broadcaster will air the reboot or when filming will begin. Fulwell 73's Leo Pearlman hinted that the theme tune, originally by The Kane Gang, 'could do with a little update'. The production will also incorporate Ant and Dec's Prince's Trust course to provide experience for local young people.
