Fans of the iconic BBC teen drama Byker Grove received a double dose of exciting news this week, as the show's complete archive became available for streaming and former stars hinted at a potential return for the beloved series.
Nostalgic Reunion on This Morning
Original cast members Lyndyann Barrass and Andrew Hayden-Smith appeared on Wednesday's edition of ITV's This Morning, sparking speculation about the show's future. The actors, who played fan favourites Spuggie and Ben Carter respectively, joined presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley to discuss the programme's legacy and their lives since leaving the fictional Newcastle youth club.
During the interview, Shephard directly addressed the possibility of the duo returning to their roles, asking if they had been in touch with the new rights holders. "You never know. To be continued, it would be lovely," Barrass teased, leaving the door firmly open for a comeback.
Life After Byker Grove
The conversation revealed what the former child stars have been doing since their time on the show ended. Lyndyann Barrass disclosed that she now runs her own business, a cleaning company called Dusty Spring Clean. When asked by Cat Deeley if she would put her current career on hold for a Byker Grove return, Barrass confirmed she would be happy to do so.
Andrew Hayden-Smith, however, faces a more complicated path to any potential return. The actor confessed that he had personally requested for his character to be killed off when he left the show at age 18 to pursue a presenting career with CBBC. "Little did I know that Ant and Dec were going to bring it back 20 years later," he remarked with amusement.
Byker Grove's Streaming Revival
The television appearance comes alongside major news for devotees of the programme. In a significant development for British television archives, all eighteen series of Byker Grove are now available to stream on ITVX. This follows a deal with Ant and Dec's production company, Mitre Studios, which acquired the rights to the programme.
First broadcast in 1989, Byker Grove captivated BBC viewers for nearly two decades before concluding in 2006. The show was renowned for launching the careers of numerous North East talents, including presenting duo Ant and Dec, as well as actors Donna Air and Jill Halfpenny.
The complete collection became available on ITVX from November 16, allowing a new generation to discover the programme while original fans can indulge in a major nostalgia trip. With the stars openly discussing a potential revival and the entire back catalogue now accessible, the future looks bright for the Byker Grove legacy.
