The Newcastle based children’s TV show will be available to stream in full across the UK later this year, decades after its BBC debut.
New series of Byker Grove is in development
Almost four decades after its initial television appearance, Byker Grove is set to make a comeback later this year.
However, instead of returning to its original broadcaster, the BBC, it will be aired on an alternative channel.
The series, filmed in Newcastle, first graced CBBC screens back in 1989 and quickly became a hit with viewers.
Both youngsters and their parents were captivated by the adventures of the Grove’s members, who were actually based in Benwell, not Byker.
The show boasted a star-studded cast including Ant and Dec, whose characters PJ and Duncan were beloved by fans.
They shared screen time with other familiar faces such as Donna Air and Jill Halfpenny, and were part of the unforgettable ‘he can’t see man!’ paintballing scene.
Ant and Dec left the show in the mid-90s to embark on a music career.
The turn of the millennium brought heartbreak for viewers when Geoff, the group’s leader, tragically died in a fire, and Andrew Hayden-Smith’s character Ben was killed off in a hit-and-run incident a few years later, reports Chronicle Live.
Byker Grove ended in 2006, but in a surprising twist in 2023, Ant and Dec revealed that their company Mitre Studios were collaborating with Fulwell73 to reboot the series under the new title, Byker.
The buzz surrounding the return of Byker Grove has been palpable since its initial reveal, yet there’s been little in the way of updates until now.
Fans craving a dose of nostalgia can rejoice as the show is currently available for streaming across the UK on STV Player and is set to make its debut on ITVX later this year, thanks to a co-exclusivity agreement with Mitre Studios.
Richard Williams, STV’s Managing Director of Audience: Video and Technology, couldn’t hide his excitement about the show’s comeback.
He said: “Just when you thought the 90s revival might have been slowing down, we’ve only gone and brought back one of the seminal TV shows of the decade.
“Byker Grove was an integral part of so many British childhoods and we’re delighted that those original viewers – now of a slightly more mature vintage – can relive all the nostalgic action on STV Player. And if any Gen Z viewers want to find out who really started the baggy trousers trend, look no further than Byker Grove!”
Ed Sleeman, MD at Mitre Studios, also expressed his delight: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with ITVX and STV Player to give a new generation of viewers the opportunity to watch this iconic series from the start and to see where it all began for Ant and Dec.”
Stream Byker Grove for free on STV Player now (UK-wide) and on ITVX later this year.
