BBC CANCELS CELEBRITY MASTERMIND, BLANKETY BLANK AND LIVE AT THE APOLLO

The BBC has cancelled three television shows as part of a £500m cost-reduction programme over the next two years. Celebrity Mastermind, the Blankety Blank revival and Live at the Apollo will not continue production. The broadcaster stated it was "incredibly proud" of all three programmes and thanked staff and contributors for their work across multiple years.

Live at the Apollo had broadcast for 22 years and had one final series prepared for transmission. The BBC cited "funding challenges" and identified the entertainment genre as an area where savings could be made. The broadcaster's income from the annual television licence fee has fallen by a quarter over the past decade, according to the corporation's account of its financial position.

The cancellations represent the latest in a series of cost reductions at the BBC in recent years. The broadcaster faces ongoing pressure to reduce expenditure as licence fee income has declined. No information has been published regarding production timescales for remaining BBC entertainment programming or further planned cuts.