The BBC has cancelled three popular entertainment shows: Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, and Live At The Apollo. The broadcaster described the decision as "difficult" and part of a plan to save up to £500 million over three years amid funding challenges from streaming and falling TV licence revenue.
Shows affected
Blankety Blank originally launched in 1979 and was revived in 2021 with host Bradley Walsh. Walsh said earlier this week he could no longer present due to his busy schedule.
Celebrity Mastermind, a spin-off of the quiz show Mastermind, first aired as a special in 2002 and ran for 24 series. Hosted by Clive Myrie, one series remains to be broadcast before it ends. The civilian version of Mastermind will continue.
Live At The Apollo, a stand-up comedy show launched in 2004, has been on air for 22 years. It helped boost the careers of comics like Michael McIntyre and Alan Carr. One series is still to air.
BBC statement
"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."
