ITV CONFIRMS LAUNCH DATE FOR BYKER GROVE BACK CATALOGUE ON ITVX

All eighteen series of the trailblazing teen drama Byker Grove are landing on ITVX on 16th November.

Essential viewing for young teenagers growing up in the nineties and early noughties, the series originally launched on BBC One in 1989 and quickly became a much-loved staple of after-school viewing.

ITVX has partnered with Ant & Dec’s production company Mitre Studios, which owns the rights to Byker Grove, to bring the series back into living rooms across this nation this autumn. Set in the Byker area of Newcastle, the series follows the lives and relationships of a group of young people who spend their down time at local youth club, the Grove.

The iconic series was renowned for tackling challenging social issues, such as drug addiction, child abuse, homophobia and abortion. In 1994, the series featured the first gay kiss on UK children’s TV, when character Noddy Fishwick kissed close friend Gary Hendrix at the back of a cinema.

It helped launch the careers of Ant & Dec, whose Byker characters, PJ & Duncan, were two of the show’s most popular and even went on to enjoy chart success with eight top 20 singles, including the number one, ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble’.

Other successful actors who got their start on Byker Grove include Jill Halfpenny, who appeared in four series between 1989-1992, and Donna Air, who also starred in four series between 1992-1995.

The show was a major training ground for behind-the-scenes talent too, with former writer, Catherine Johnson, going on to pen hit musical Mamma Mia! and Tom Hooper, who directed episodes in 1997, later winning the Academy Award for Best Director for his work on The King’s Speech.

Craig Morris, Director of Channels, ITVX & Acquisitions, said: “ITV audiences have grown up with Ant & Dec, so we are delighted to whisk viewers all the way back to the moment they first shared the screen together. Enjoy every moment from this iconic coming-of-age series on ITVX this November.”

Ed Sleeman, MD at Mitre Studios added: “Byker Grove on ITVX marks the return of a legendary series which made TV history, launching the careers of Ant & Dec and helping shape a generation of viewers.”

All eighteen series are landing on ITVX on 16th November.