BBC axes Live at the Apollo after 22 years among other shows in £500,000,000 cull

| Live News reporter Published July 29, 2026 12:36pm Updated July 29, 2026 12:57pm Live at the Apollo has been axed in a BBC cull (Picture: BBC) The BBC has scrapped iconic comedy show Live at the Apollo as well as Celebrity Mastermind and Blankety Blank in a bid to save £500 million over the next few years. The stand-up show helped launch the careers of several major British comedians, including the likes of Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Mo Gilligan and Katherine Ryan, since it started airing in September 2004. The 22-year-old comedy institution won’t immediately vanish from screens, with another series yet to air. Similarly, Celebrity Mastermind has run for 19 seasons, beginning in 2002, and will return for a final season hosted by Clive Myrie before it bows out. Meanwhile, Blankety Blank has been paused and revived several times since its debut in 1979. The Chase star Bradley Walsh most recently hosted the festive episode as the face of the latest instalment, which was officially revived by the BBC in 2021. However, just days ago the 66-year-old confirmed that he no longer has time for the game show in his busy schedule. Blankety Blank has been axed once more just days after Bradley stepped back as presenter(Picture: BBC/Thames/Matt Frost) Celebrity Mastermind will also air one final season (Picture: BBC) ‘I just don’t have the time, which is sad because I’ve loved Blankety Blank. It’s been one of my favourite shows, and it’s been brilliant,’ he told Radio Times. Now, it seems, neither does the BBC, with the show being parked as the national broadcaster aims to get spending under control in a new era of streaming and dwindling TV licences. ‘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.’ A huge 94% of the UK population use the BBC every month, but fewer than 80% pay the £180 annual licence fee, causing the broadcaster some headaches. It’s been an instrumental part of the comedy circuit for years (Picture: BBC/Open Mike/Ellis O’Brien) By far the biggest shock from these axes is Live At The Apollo, produced by Open Mike Productions, which has been a BBC staple for over two decades. Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin When it was last renewed in 2023, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment, said: ‘The show has consistently delivered the finest comedy talents to our viewers, and we are excited to keep bringing fresh and hilarious stand-up acts for all to enjoy.’ Arrow MORE: What happened in Naga Munchetty’s bullying probe? Inside scandal before BBC Breakfast exit Arrow MORE: BBC radio star ‘struggling to hold it together’ after being replaced by Naga Munchetty Arrow MORE: I’ve watched three versions of BBC’s Ghosts – the latest season is ridiculous TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.