Terry Christian calls BBC's axe of Live at the Apollo 'the biggest tragedy' amid budget cuts
The BBC has axed Live at the Apollo, Celebrity Mastermind and Blankety Blank as part of its plan to save up to £500 million over the next three years.
Terry Christian says losing Live at the Apollo after 22 years is "the biggest tragedy" as the BBC's budget cuts also claimed Celebrity Mastermind and Blankety Blank.
The 66-year-old stand-up comedian said the show, which featured comics performing at the Hammersmith Apollo theatre in West London, provided a vital platform for emerging talent to make their breakthrough.
Appearing on Thursday's (30.07.26's) episode of ITV's Good Morning Britain, Terry told hosts Kate Garraway, 59, and 52-year-old Adil Ray: "I think the big tragedy is Live at the Apollo because it's for young comedians and for them to be introduced to the general public.
"It's very sad."
Live at the Apollo and Celebrity Mastermind, the latter hosted by Clive Myrie, 61, will each air one last series before being shelved.
On Wednesday (29.07.26), the BBC announced it had axed the two shows, as well as Blankety Blank, presented by Bradley Walsh, 66, as part of its plan to save up to £500 million over the next three years.
However, the corporation said that more cost-cutting moves will be announced in due course, which has fuelled speculation that more of its TV shows will face the chop.
The civilian version of Mastermind, also fronted by Clive, will continue.
On Monday, Bradley revealed his departure as host of Blankety Blank after six years because he simply "does not have the time".
The entertainer told Radio Times: "The thing is we're just doing Gladiators.
"I get a week off and then I go to rehearsals for the live Prat Pack show.
"I take The Prat Pack back on the road for a month, and then I would normally go straight into Blankety Blank.
"But at the moment, what I'm going to do is I've got other stuff which I can't announce at the moment.
"We're working on a couple of dramas and scripting, and I actually physically do not have the time."
Bradley - who is in the Prat Pack variety supergroup with fellow comedians Brian Conley, 64, Shane Richie, 62, and 64-year-old Joe Pasquale - added: "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. Blankety Blank has been brilliant. It really makes me laugh. It's the most fun you can have in the studio, and I just cannot at the moment work on it. I just have not got the time.
"I would normally go to studio October, but I'm all taken up in October and November, so I just haven't time to do it. Maybe next year."
However, Bradley can still be seen on the BBC as he presents Gladiators with his 28-year-old son, Barney Walsh.
The star also fronts ITV's The Chase, its spin-off Beat the Chasers, as well as his Barney's travelogue show, Breaking Dad.
