Byker Grove: Ant and Dec bring back the teen drama that made them famous
Biker Grovethe teen drama that made TV duo Ant and Dec famous returns 17 years after it last aired.
Aired on CBBC from 1989 to 2006, Biker Grove The focus is on a youth club in Newcastle. The show was known for covering controversial issues such as addiction, abortion and child abuse, and in 1994 it featured the first gay kiss on British children’s television.
It was announced on Tuesday (July 4) that the show would be returning under that name bikerwith a new series filmed and produced in and around the Northeast.
A new generation of teenagers will address the challenges young adults face today, touching on the storylines of both young people and adults, against a backdrop of Newcastle and surrounding areas.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who played fun-loving duo PJ and Duncan on the original series, will serve as executive producers and creative advisors on the reboot.
Following the announcement, McPartlin said: “We owe so much Biker Grove and the North East, so we can’t wait to work with Fulwell 73 and the team to bring this iconic series back to life.
“When we’re already talking about characters and storylines, we’re all gushing about the possibilities that lie ahead. The original series was the springboard for a lot of Northeast talent, so we’re excited to see what the new team will bring.”
Donnelly added: “Biker Grove will always be very special to us because the show that gave us our breakthrough is incredibly exciting for us to work with Fulwell 73 to bring it back.
“We look forward to bringing this new incarnation to a whole new generation and to those who remember it as fondly as we do.” as well as behind the camera to be in the limelight.”
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Ant and Dec Celebrate Byker Grove’s 10th Anniversary
(Alamy)
Backstage, biker It also aims to be a recurring series that will offer sustained training both in front of and behind the camera, including a Northeast-focused writer’s room and internships.
Fulwell 73 and Miter Studios will be filming across Newcastle and Sunderland as part of both companies’ commitment to their home region and North East based production offices.
McPartlin and Donnelly will also incorporate their Prince’s Trust Making It In Media course into the production to bring experiences to young people in the North East.
The show, which became a staple of British television in the ’90s and ’00s, also helped launch the careers of Donna Air and Jill Halfpenny.
The announcement comes two months after Ant and Dec announced they were leaving their long-running entertainment show Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway after 20 years.
Additional Press Association coverage.