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It’s time to head back to Newcastle, Byker Grove is making a comeback! The iconic children’s drama series that defined a generation is set to return to screens this November, nearly 40 years after its original debut. From November 16, fans will be able to stream all 18 series on ITVX, following a deal between the streaming platform and Mitre Studios, the production company owned by Ant and Dec.
First airing on the BBC in 1989, Byker Grove became one of the most influential and talked-about youth dramas on British television. Set in a youth club in Newcastle upon Tyne, the show followed a group of teenagers navigating the ups and downs of growing up, tackling issues that were often considered taboo for children’s TV at the time.
The series didn’t shy away from difficult topics such as child abuse, drug addiction, abortion, and homophobia, breaking new ground in the 1990s with its raw honesty and emotional storytelling.
Perhaps its most groundbreaking moment came in 1994, when Byker Grove featured the first same-sex kiss on UK children’s television, between characters Noddy Fishwick and Gary Hendrix. The scene sparked headlines and debate across the country, marking a major moment in TV history for representation and inclusion.
But for many, the series will forever be remembered for introducing the world to Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who played PJ and Duncan, two of the show’s most beloved characters. Their on-screen friendship blossomed into one of Britain’s most successful entertainment partnerships, leading to chart-topping hits like Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble and decades of primetime television success.
Alongside Ant and Dec, Byker Grove also helped launch the careers of several well-known stars including Donna Air, Jill Halfpenny, and Andrew Hayden-Smith.
Thanks to Ant and Dec’s production company, Mitre Studios, which owns the rights to the classic kids’ show, it’s now being revived on ITVX.
Speaking about the show’s return, Craig Morris, ITV’s Director of Channels, ITVX and Acquisitions, said:
“ITV audiences have grown up with Ant and Dec, so we’re delighted to whisk viewers back to the moment they first shared the screen together. Byker Grove isn’t just a TV show, it’s a piece of British culture.”
The series originally ran until 2006, producing 18 series and over 300 episodes, before being quietly shelved. But in 2023, Ant and Dec announced plans to revive the brand, confirming that a new version, renamed Byker, is currently in development.
This re-release gives fans old and new a chance to rediscover the original, raw and heartfelt stories that started it all.
Whether you grew up shouting “Grovers!” or just remember PJ’s infamous paintball accident (“He can’t see, man!”), the nostalgia is sure to hit hard.
Get ready to relive the laughs, the tears, and the unforgettable moments when Byker Grove streams on ITVX from November 16.
