2001 in British television

none April 2013 May 2020 2001 British television This is a list of British television related events from 2001. Events January 1 January – The BBC reality show Castaway 2000 comes to an end as its participants leave the island of Taransay.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-castaways-leave-stormy-taransay-but-five-plan-to-stay-in-the-western-isles-627224.html BBC castaways leave stormy Taransay but five plan to stay in the Western Isles The Independent Chris Bunting 1 January 2001 15 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20100422210635/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-castaways-leave-stormy-taransay-but-five-plan-to-stay-in-the-western-isles-627224.html 22 April 2010 dead London 4 January – The children's characters Bill and Ben return to television with a brand new stop-motion animated series on BBC One. The series features the voice of comedian and Cold Feet actor John Thomson.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b98c8550c4b04d529618db821c234e34 Bill and Ben – BBC One London – 4 January 2001 BBC Genome BBC 25 July 2017 3 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200903220235/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b98c8550c4b04d529618db821c234e34 dead 7 January – Blankety Blank makes its debut on ITV, hosted by Lily Savage.http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Blankety_Blank Blankety Blank UKGameshows 25 July 2017 8 January – Debut of GMTV's Inch-Loss Island where volunteers attend a Castaway-style location in an attempt to collectively lose weight.Fran Boweden https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Your+Heath%3A+The+Fastaways%3B+WE'LL+BE+MAROONED+ON+A+TV+ISLAND+TO+LOSE...-a068824417 The Fastaways Trinity Morror The Sunday Mirror 7 January 2001 12 November 2016 10 January – Debut of ITV's Popstars which will follow efforts to put together a five-piece band who will then record and release a single. 12 January – The Mole debuts on Channel 5, based on an idea from Belgium, the series sees ten contestants complete a number of tasks as they are whittled down to an eventual winner who will win £200,000. However, one of the contestants is a mole, deliberately planted to work against the team.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1106366.stm Reality TV bandwagon rolls BBC BBC News 8 January 2001 18 June 2014 12 January – Johnny Vaughan and Denise van Outen end their second stint as presenters of The Big Breakfast, exactly 5 years after former presenter Gaby Roslin left the series. The show will be relaunched with a team of five presenters from 22 January as producers attempt to reverse the programme's falling ratings.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1113460.stm Breakfast over for Denise and Johnny BBC BBC News 12 January 2001 23 May 2014 13 January – Debut of the ten-part BBC Two series I Love the '80s which examines the pop culture of the 1980s. The series debuts with I Love 1980 and concludes on 24 March with I Love 1989.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/abc3eb444e6f4cffae9a521c735e957d Love the Eighties – BBC Two England – 13 January 2001 BBC Genome BBC 7 July 2017 18 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181118035409/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/abc3eb444e6f4cffae9a521c735e957d dead http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3da8013ee01f49a997fdc1605d04ed57 Love the Eighties – BBC Two England – 24 March 2001 BBC Genome BCB 7 July 2017 18 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181118035923/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3da8013ee01f49a997fdc1605d04ed57 dead 15 January The ITC clears Celador and ITV of allegations that Judith Keppel's win on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? had been rigged to draw audiences away from BBC One.Millionaire? cleared of ratings 'fix' BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1118212.stm 15 January 2001 26 April 2009 Carlton Television is criticised by the Independent Television Commission after the word "punami", popularised by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen was shown onscreen prior to an item about his alter ego, Ali G on its daytime show Celebrity TV in October 2000. The Commission felt the slang term for a part of the female anatomy would be offensive to the Afro-Caribbean community.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1117284.stm Complaints over Ali G catchphrase BBC BBC News 15 January 2001 3 May 2014 A new Jim Henson co-production called The Hoobs debuts on Channel 4 with early-morning repeats until 2014. 17 January Prime Minister Tony Blair rejects calls to take part in US-style televised debates with opposition politicians during the forthcoming election campaign.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1122616.stm Blair ducks TV debate BBC BBC News 17 January 2001 31 March 2016 Vanessa Feltz has been dropped by the BBC following the conclusion of her two-year contract with the corporation, it is reported.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1121838.stm Feltz dropped by BBC BBC BBC News 17 January 2001 28 June 2014 18 January – Channel 4 launches E4, a digital entertainment channel at 8:15pm.Chapman Iain http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a1705/c4-confirms-e4-will-be-on-skydigital.html#~oHbUCuQpaijNmC C4 Confirms E4 Will Be on Sky Digital Digital Spy 15 January 2001 14 June 2014http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1123593.stm E4 launches with US favourites BBC BBC News 19 January 2001 14 June 2014 19 January – The ITV Nightly News is shown on ITV for the last time after 2 years. 20 January – BBC Two airs live coverage of the inauguration of George W. Bush as the 43rd President of the United States.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b3f7cfa4556542769e4d2124bc90d8ed The Inauguration of the President of the United States – BBC Two England – 20 January 2001 BBC Genome BBC 15 January 2017 16 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170116194226/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b3f7cfa4556542769e4d2124bc90d8ed dead 22 January News at Ten returns to ITV, having been axed 2 years earlier. It is once again presented by Trevor McDonald. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1109699.stm News at Ten returns to ITV BBC News 10 January 2001 15 May 2009 Footballer turned presenter Ian Wright signs a two-year contract with the BBC where he will front a number of shows, including replacing Ant & Dec as host of the game show Friends Like These.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1130498.stm Ian Wright transfers to BBC BBC BBC News 22 January 2001 21 April 2014 Channel 4's The Big Breakfast is relaunched with Donna Air, Amanda Byram, Paul Tonkinson, Melanie Sykes and Richard Bacon as its main presenters.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1130716.stm New faces at Big Breakfast BBC BBC News 22 January 2001 23 May 2014 26 January – Channel 5 airs the 1000th episode of its soap Family Affairs.TV.com http://www.tv.com/shows/family-affairs/episode-1000-283960/ https://web.archive.org/web/20121108091124/http://www.tv.com/shows/family-affairs/episode-1000-283960/ dead 8 November 2012 Family Affairs – Season 5, Episode 2: Episode 1000 TV.com 2001-01-26 2018-01-13 28 January – Carlton and Granada are holding discussions aimed at merging their internet operations to create a single online business for ITV under the brand itv.co.uk or itv.com. The current itv.co.uk is a basic information service, but the broadcasters wish to compete with the BBC.Reece Damian https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4479756/Carlton-and-Granada-merge-online.html Carlton and Granada merge online Telegraph Media Group The Daily Telegraph 28 January 2001 5 May 2014 February 1 February – Launch of the film channel The Studio, a joint venture between NTL and Vivendi Universal.http://airwaves.techtir.com/cable/393-the-studio-to-launch-on-february-1 https://archive.today/20130203150124/http://airwaves.techtir.com/cable/393-the-studio-to-launch-on-february-1 dead 3 February 2013 The Studio to launch on February 1 The Airwaves 17 December 2000 11 June 2012 3 February – Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan are chosen as the winners of Popstars, an ITV series that sought to put together a five-member pop group from members of the public who were invited to audition for the series.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s102/popstars/news/a1836/popstars-winners-revealed.html Popstars winners revealed Neil Wilkes Digital Spy 4 February 2001 4 December 2012 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1150374.stm Celebrations for winning Popstars BBC BBC News 4 February 2001 4 April 2014 5 February – Four programmes aired on this day by E4, Popworld, North Hollywood High, Shipwrecked and Generation E are recorded as having a zero audience share by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board's overnight viewing figures.http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/c4-fails-to-attract-viewers-to-new-entertainment-channel/2006903.article C4 fails to attract viewers to new entertainment channel Centaur Media Marketing Week 8 February 2001 20 February 2014 6 February – Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, an animated spinoff from Mr. Bean, is announced and would begin airing in March 2002.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/feb/06/broadcasting2 Mr Bean turned into cartoon 10 September 2015 6 February 2001 8 February – A 1982 interview given by serial killer Dr. Harold Shipman to ITV's World in Action in which he speaks about the benefits of caring for patients in the community rather than hospitalising them is rebroadcast as part of the Tonight programme. The footage is shown as police continue an investigation to determine the number of people killed by the GP.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1159420.stm Shipman interview rebroadcast BBC BBC News 8 February 2001 14 May 2014 12 February – The Independent Television Commission reprimands Channel 4 for airing part of a World Wrestling Federation in October 2000 that featured a wrestler threatening a rival's assistant with a sledgehammer. The ITC deemed the scene was inappropriate when children could be watching. Also, a viewer's complaint of impartiality is upheld against an edition of Fifteen to One in which presenter William G. Stewart made a lengthy argument for returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece, but did not explore the opposing case.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1165688.stm Channel 4 hit by wrestling rap BBC BBC News 12 February 2001 19 April 2014 14 February – On Valentine's Day, ITV's This Morning features a gay wedding as two men are "married" live on air. The ceremony, a blessing performed by a cleric from the Society for Independent Christian Ministry, is not recognised under UK law at the time when same-sex marriage is not legal in the UK.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1170214.stm Richard and Judy screen gay wedding BBC BBC News 14 February 2001 13 June 2014 The segment results in 117 viewer complaints to the Independent Television Commission, many suggesting it was unsuitable for broadcast at a time when children could have been watching and undermined the religious significance of marriage. In response, Granada Television says that the ceremony was discussed at length at the beginning of the programme, meaning viewers would have been aware it was going to take place. The ITC subsequently rejects the complaints, but notes that due to the show's "drop in" nature offence may have been caused to those who did not see the start of the programme.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1440587.stm TV AND RADIO | TV gay wedding complaints rejected BBC News 2001-07-15 2018-01-13 16 February – The Midlands-based talk show Central Weekend issues an onscreen apology after a complaint was made to the Independent Television Commission when it emerged that an edition of the show from July 2000 had featured fake guests. A debate on the effects of soap operas on the lives of individuals had featured two patients of a "soap clinic" who it later emerged had been fakes. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/programme_complaints/show_complaint.asp-prog_complaint_id=357.html ITC Complaints Report for Central Weekend 6 June 2013 20 February – The network television premiere of Paul Verhoeven's 1997 American science-fiction action blockbuster Starship Troopers on Channel 5, starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Michael Ironside Jake Busey and Neil Patrick Harris. 24 February – Hear'Say, the band formed by ITV's Popstars make their singing debut on the channel's chart show CD:UK. They had been required to mime during a previous performance recorded for Channel 5's The Pepsi Chart Show because their backing tapes had not been completed.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1187514.stm Popstars make their live debut BBC BBC News 24 February 2001 31 March 2014 March 1 March The current foot-and-mouth outbreak has required rural-based soaps and continuing dramas such as Emmerdale and Heartbeat to adjust their filming schedules, it is reported.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1197164.stm Foot-and-mouth hits the soaps BBC BBC News 1 March 2001 22 June 2014 EastEnders character Phil Mitchell (played by Steve McFadden) is wounded by a mystery gunman on his doorstep in one of the most memorable TV storylines of the year. The episode is watched by 17 million viewers.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1198555.stm EastEnders brings record ratings BBC BBC News 2 March 2001 2 April 2014 BBC One airs Sailing through Heaven and Hell, a documentary chronicling Ellen MacArthur's participation in the 2000–2001 Vendée Globe solo round-the-world sailing race.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/audiovideo/1196925.stm BBC Sport Sailing through Heaven and Hell BBC News 1 March 2001 2 April 2014http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b58e550e1e4540af9433fde579834d47 Ellen MacArthur: Sailing through Hell – BBC One London – 1 March 2001 BBC Genome BBC 26 October 2016 27 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161027061434/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b58e550e1e4540af9433fde579834d47 dead 2 March – The Guardian reports that ITV have signed a deal with Universal Studios to air episodes of Northern Exposure, The Incredible Hulk and Dr. Katz. Northern Exposure which aired on Channel 4 during the 1990s, will begin showing nightly from 5 March, following The Late Show with David Letterman, while Dr. Katz will air on Saturdays.Jason Deans https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/mar/02/itv.broadcasting ITV2 revives Northern Exposure Guardian Media Group The Guardian 2 March 2001 22 September 2018 4 March – A bomb explodes outside BBC Television Centre. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1201665.stm Blast will reawaken BBC security concerns BBC News 4 March 2001 1 May 2009 The blast is later attributed to dissident Irish Republican terrorists and it is suggested the BBC Panorama programme which named individuals as participants in the Omagh bombing was the motive.Nick Hopkins Rosie Cowan https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/mar/05/broadcasting.bbc1 Bomb threatens peace process Guardian Media Group The Guardian 5 March 2001 16 May 2014 5 March Anne Robinson appears as a guest on an edition of BBC Two's Room 101 in which she nominates Welsh people for inclusion in the fictional Orwellian Room 101, describing them as "irritating and annoying". Her comments provoke fury among Welsh politicians, an invitation to appear before the Welsh Affairs Select Committee as part of their investigation into Wales's overseas image and an investigation into the incident by the BBC Board of Governors.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1205551.stm Robinson comments anger Welsh MPs BBC BBC News 6 March 2001 16 May 2014 In addition, 427 complaints are received by the Broadcasting Standards Commission and North Wales Police launch an investigation into allegations of racial hatred. The ITV soap Crossroads returns with a new series after an absence of 13 years. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1202047.stm Crossroads – then and now BBC News 5 March 2001 27 April 2009 Response is initially favourable, but the show is soon criticised for its confusing storylines. 6 March – Shopping channel Ideal World goes off the air temporarily due to a large fire at its facilities in Peterborough. The channel would go back on the air within weeks of the fire, broadcasting from temporary facilities, but its main facilities in Peterborough would not be fully operational until September 2002.Ellery Simon http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/blaze-forces-ideal-world-off-air/1171184.article Blaze forces Ideal World off air Broadcast 8 March 2001 13 September 2014 7 March – BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2 in which Lionel Richie talks about his life and career and performs some of his hits.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d89d551758434be39489a715c213dcea TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 7 March 2001 – BBC Genome genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 30 October 2018 31 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181031054121/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d89d551758434be39489a715c213dcea dead 9 March The first series of Celebrity Big Brother sees six celebrities enter the Big Brother 1 house for a week-long series, in aid of Comic Relief.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1172148.stm Celebrity Big Brother launched BBC News 15 February 2001 26 April 2009 As Comic Relief is shown by the BBC this is a rare collaboration between two rival television networks. While Channel 4 airs daily highlight shows, BBC One also broadcasts 10-minute updates, as well as the final which is part of the Red Nose Day telethon. Zi Khan wins the first series of Channel 5's The Mole. 11 March ITV airs the 5000th episode of Coronation Street.Tony Stewart http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Soap+box%3A+Copping+out+...and+copping+off%3B+The+week+ahead+by+Tony...-a071454594 Soap box: Copping out ...and copping off; The week ahead by Tony Stewart Trinity Mirror The Mirror 10 March 2001 21 February 2015 Channel 5 signs a deal with the distributors of Gladiator to give the film its British terrestrial television debut in 2003. 13 March In an interview with the Radio Times, film director Ken Loach launches a scathing attack on the "destruction" of some of UK television's long-established news and current affairs programmes. In particular, he describes ITV's decision to scrap World in Action as "one of the television crimes of the century".http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1217962.stm Director Loach slams TV news BBC BBC News 13 March 2001 14 May 2014 London's Chief Fire Officer Brian Robinson criticises the BBC for "grossly irresponsible behaviour" after the day's episode of EastEnders shows a character breaking a smoke alarm with a broom handle after it was activated in a smoke-filled kitchen.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1219113.stm EastEnders smoke scene attacked BBC BBC News 13 March 2001 14 June 2014 14 March ITV signs a £100 million deal with Luxembourg-based SES, the company that relays BSkyB channels in the United Kingdom to make its service available through the Astra satellite.Dan Milmo https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/mar/14/itv.broadcasting ITV joins Sky satellite partner The Guardian Guardian Media Group 14 March 2001 21 April 2014 The deal paves the way for negotiations with Sky to carry ITV as part of its digital satellite service.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1219958.stm ITV and Sky digital deal closer BBC BBC News 14 March 2001 21 April 2014 A deal between the two broadcasters is subsequently agreed on 18 November.Damian Reece https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2742380/ITV-in-digital-deal-with-Sky.html ITV in digital deal with Sky Telegraph Media Group The Daily Telegraph 18 November 2001 21 April 2014 Channel 5 airs its first terrestrial television showing of Robert Kurtzman's 1997 American fantasy horror film Wishmaster, starring Tammy Lauren, Andrew Divoff and Ted Raimi, as well as the three slasher icons include A Nightmare on Elm Streets Robert Englund, Friday the 13ths Kane Hodder and Candymans Tony Todd. 16 March Highlights of the 2001 Comic Relief telethon include a prerecorded piece in which David and Victoria Beckham are interviewed by the character Ali G.Paul Kelso Matt Wells https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/feb/10/uknews2 Posh floored as Ali G tackles Becks Guardian Media Group The Guardian 10 February 2001 25 July 2017 Comedian Jack Dee is voted the winner of Celebrity Big Brother. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1225722.stm Dee big winner of Big Brother BBC News 17 March 2000 26 April 2009 17 March – William Friedkin's controversial 1973 Oscar-winning supernatural horror film The Exorcist is shown on British television for the first time when it is screened by Channel 4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1201445.stm TV premiere for The Exorcist BBC News 4 March 2001 15 May 2009 18 March – Hear'Say reach number one in the UK singles chart with their debut single "Pure and Simple".http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1228195.stm Hear'Say hit number one BBC BBC News 18 March 2001 4 April 2014 With sales of almost 550,000, the song enters the record books as Britain's most successful debut pop single.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1228776.stm TV pop group break the record BBC BBC News 18 April 2001 4 April 2014 They also become the first British group to simultaneously top both the UK singles and album charts with a debut release when their album Popstars reaches number one on the album charts on 1 April.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/1254950.stm Hear'Say make chart history BBC BBC News 1 April 2001 4 April 2014 22 March – A new television website called TV Whirl is launched. 23 March – The Mirror reports that Brookside actress Claire Sweeney has been offered the presenting role of a new ITV series, Challenge of a Lifetime, described as a spin-off of Don't Try This at Home, after impressing producers during her recent Celebrity Big Brother appearance.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1237846.stm Sweeney 'offered ITV show' BBC BBC News 23 March 2001 22 June 2014 London Weekend Television confirms in April that Sweeney will front a 12-part series of the show.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1303138.stm Sweeney offered ITV challenge BBC BBC News 29 April 2001 22 June 2014 28 March – Channel 5 attracts its largest audience to date as 5.5 million viewers tune in to watch the World Cup qualifier match between England and Albania.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1249540.stm Channel 5 scores with football BBC BBC News 29 March 2001 9 May 2014 30 March – Channel 5 celebrates its fourth birthday.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1231802.stm TV AND RADIO | Channel 5 turns four BBC BBC News 30 March 2001 26 August 2014 April 2 April Imperial College London wins the 2000–01 series of University Challenge, beating St John's College, Oxford 250–195. ITV launches an online version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/new_media/1256214.stm Millionaire makes online debut BBC BBC News 2 April 2001 6 May 2014 5 April – The culmination of the Who Shot Phil? storyline in EastEnders with the revelation that Phil Mitchell (played by Steve McFadden) was shot by Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin). https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/apr/06/broadcasting.uknews It was Lisa who shot EastEnder Phil The Guardian Vasagar, Jeevan Milne, Laura 6 April 2001 21 February 2010 London To make way for the 45-minute episode in the schedules, the BBC negotiated to have the kick-off of the UEFA Cup semi final between Liverpool and Barcelona delayed by fifteen minutes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/1260552.stm EastEnders 1–0 Barcelona BBC Sport Chris Charles 4 April 2001 21 February 2010 The episode receives 20.05 million viewers, the highest rated EastEnders episode of the decade.http://www.barb.co.uk/facts/since1981?year=2001&view=top10 Top Ten Programmes: 2001 Broadcasters' Audience Research Board 18 February 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110622023431/http://www.barb.co.uk/facts/since1981?year=2001&view=top10 22 June 2011 6 April – The Big Breakfast co-presenter Paul Tomkinson has been sacked from the show, it is reported, bosses having told him of their decision to let him go the previous day. His role on the morning's edition of the programme is filled by Mike McClean.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1263939.stm Big Breakfast host sacked BBC BBC News 6 April 2001 23 May 2014 11 April – The Independent Television Commission turns down a request from Channel 5 to move its main evening news bulletin forward half an hour to 5:30pm. However, an extended Five News and Talk planned for the run-up to the general election beginning at 5:30pm is given the go-ahead.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1271805.stm Channel 5 news move thwarted BBC BBC News 11 April 2001 22 June 2014 16 April – The Broadcasting Standards Commission rules that Anne Robinson's comments about Welsh people "came close to the boundaries of acceptability", but fell short of being racist.Tania Branigan https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/apr/16/race.world TV watchdog clears Anne Robinson over Welsh jibes | UK news Guardian Media Group The Guardian 16 April 2001 16 May 2014 17 April – The Press Complaints Commission upholds a complaint against the News of the World made by Granada Television after the newspaper sent two undercover journalists to a Christmas party for the cast and crew of Emmerdale in the hope of finding a story. The assignment had proved to be fruitless because the reporters were ejected when their identity was discovered.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1281569.stm Tabloid rapped for filming TV party BBC BBC News 17 April 2001 22 June 2014 20 April Celador Productions, makers of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, is awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise for selling the ITV game show to over 60 countries worldwide.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1288847.stm Quiz show scoops business award BBC BBC News 20 April 2001 19 April 2015 Channel 4 scraps Right to Reply. The programme had been on air since the launch of the channel in 1982 and was the only programme that Channel 4 produced in-house.Transdiffusion.org: Andrew Hesford-Booth – "Before and After" https://web.archive.org/web/20070403024732/http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/halcyondays/1980s/before.php 3 April 2007 Retrieved 26 March 2007 21 April – David Edwards, a schoolteacher from Staffordshire and former Mastermind winner, becomes the second person to win the £1 million prize on ITV's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1289519.stm Mastermind winner is a Millionaire BBC BBC News 21 April 2001 13 May 2014 News of his win has leaked out before the episode is transmitted.Methven Hughes Nicola http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TWO+WANTS+TO+BE+A+MILLIONAIRE%3B+Teacher+is+2nd+jackpot+winner.-a073055328 Two Wants to Be a Millionaire; Teacher is 2nd jackpot winner The Mirror Trinity Mirror 11 April 2001 13 May 2014 24 April Eric Richard makes his final appearance as Sergeant Bob Cryer in The Bill.McGibbon Rob http://www.thefreelibrary.com/I+thought+I+was+important+to+The+Bill..to+find+out+I+wasn't+was+a...-a073610428 I thought I was important to The Bill...to find out I wasn't was a bitter pill to swallow Trinity Mirror The Mirror 25 April 2001 19 June 2014 A little over a year after it began airing US soap Days of Our Lives, Channel 5 announces that the series will disappear from its schedules from the following day, an audience of 200,000 deemed not to be high enough for the timeslot in which it has been shown.Dan J. Kroll http://soapcentral.com/days/news/2001/0423-daysuk.php Days being yanked By Channel 5 Soap Central 24 April 2001 21 March 2016 25 April – Carlton and Granada announce proposals to align their television and internet assets under the ITV banner.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a2697/carlton-and-granada-realign-itv-and-ondigital.html#~oDuEwkNLqJT3g6 Carlton and Granada realign ITV and ONdigital Digital Spy 25 April 2001 6 May 2014 itv.co.uk will also relaunch as itv.com, allowing ITV to compete with the BBC for online users.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1296405.stm Will ITV website capture the net? BBC BBC News 25 April 2001 6 May 2014 26 April – On the second anniversary of the murder of Jill Dando, the Jill Dando Institute, a teaching and research facility dedicated to crime science, is established at University College London.http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=159448&sectioncode=26 In the news: Gloria Laycock 31 October 2010 Times Higher Education 27 April 2001https://www.theguardian.com/society/2001/jan/10/voluntarysector.publicsectorcareers1 The appliance of science to crime control 14 October 2010 The Guardian 10 January 2001 London John Cunningham 27 April – Channel 4 game show Countdown celebrates its 3000th edition.http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Countdown Countdown UKGameshows.com 21 February 2015 May 3 May – Kevin Lygo, head of music and entertainment at Channel 4, is to move to Channel 5 where he will become director of programming.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1311254.stm C4 entertainment boss quits for C5 BBC BBC News 3 May 2001 22 June 2014 4 May – The BBC announces the closure of the loss-making BBC Experience.Julia Day https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/may/04/bbc.broadcasting2 BBC Experience gets the chop The Guardian 4 May 2001 30 July 2023 7 May – The Guardian reports that BSkyB is planning to close its interactive shopping service Open after buying out the other partners in their parent company, British Interactive Broadcasting.David Teather https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/may/07/mondaymediasection6 The death of TV shopping? Guardian Media Group The Guardian 7 May 2001 22 May 2014Bell Emily Bang! The door slams shut on Open https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/may/07/mondaymediasection.comment The Guardian Guardian Media Group 22 May 2014 7 May 2001 12 May Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL win the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest (staged in Copenhagen) for Estonia with the song "Everybody".https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/estonias-everybody-erupts-at-eurovision-79751/ Estonia's 'Everybody' Erupts At Eurovision Billboard 14 May 2001 30 July 2023 ITV broadcasts the first episode of Slap Bang presented by Ant & Dec which is regarded as a prime time version of their Saturday morning show SMTV Live. The programme is not successful, and is not recommissioned following its initial six week run. 14 May – Channel 4 confirms that Donna Air has left The Big Breakfast. The show will now be presented by Richard Bacon and Amanda Byram, alongside various guest hosts.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a2861/donna-air-leaves-big-breakfast.html#~oF7lbqqnJjSAWa Donna Air leaves Big Breakfast Digital Spy 14 May 2001 23 May 2014 15 May The online version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has made the ITV website the 48th most popular in the UK according to Nielsen, with half a million visits during April.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/new_media/1332056.stm Millionaire is hit for ITV website BBC BBC News 15 May 2001 6 May 2014 The Smash Hits TV channel is launched. 16 May BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2 featuring performances by Billy Joel.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/6dd3edd6a757448fa2b9057d23b04115 TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 16 May 2001 – BBC Genome genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 30 October 2018 31 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181031053322/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/6dd3edd6a757448fa2b9057d23b04115 dead Ask Tony Blair, an election debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, is aired on ITV. 17 May BBC One airs a Question Time election special from Newcastle with Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.Lisa O'Carroll Ashley Davies https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/may/09/generalelection.broadcasting BBC clears schedules for election coverage Guardian Media Group The Guardian 9 May 2001 31 March 2016 Channel 5 have signed an £18m deal with Columbia Tristar International which will see the channel premiere the studio's films from 2000, including Erin Brockovich.http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/507428/blockbusters-due-channel-5 Blockbusters due on Channel 5 Media Week 17 May 2001 23 September 2016 19 May – Match of the Day is shown on Saturday night on BBC One for the final time, following the loss of the BBC's rights to broadcast highlights from the FA Premiership. The programme is reformatted the following season as a brand name for its live coverage of the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and England international football. The BBC would eventually regain the rights to Premiership highlights in 2004. 20 May – ITV airs the final episode of the thirteenth series of London's Burning. This is the last series to be aired with a hiatus. 21 May – The UK version of Survivor debuts on ITV.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1342038.stm Survivor starts TV ratings battle BBC BBC News 21 May 2001 16 May 2014 22 May – Actors from the Australian soap Home and Away will fly to the UK to record episodes in London to coincide with the show's return to British TV, it is confirmed. The series will make its Channel 5 debut on Monday 16 July.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a2928/home-and-away-return-date-confirmed.html#~oErWTKRaHbme0I Home and Away return date confirmed Digital Spy 22 May 2000 16 May 2014 23 May BBC One airs a Question Time election special from Manchester with Conservative leader William Hague. ITV airs Ask Charles Kennedy, an election debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/may/23/thecandidate 15 days to go: Explosive electoral assets Guardian Media Group The Guardian 23 May 2001 31 March 2016 24 May – Letitia Dean returns to EastEnders as Sharon Watts, having last appeared in 1995.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1348913.stm Letitia Dean back in EastEnders BBC News 24 May 2001 22 September 2019 25 May – When singer Elton John pulls out of appearing on Have I Got News for You at the last minute, he is replaced by taxi driver Ray Johnson, credited as 'Ray Elton John Son' who works as a lookalike. However, Johnson is introduced to the audience as the genuine Elton John and keeps silent for the whole recording. On-screen captions between rounds provide the only clues to the deception. 30 May BBC One airs a Question Time election special from Milton Keynes with Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Tony Blair. ITV airs Ask William Hague, an election debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/may/30/thecandidate 8 days to go: Bravura performances Guardian Media Group The Guardian 30 May 2001 31 March 2016 June 7 June – Nestlé has signed a sponsorship with Carlton Cinema to sponsor the Heroes Season.Poppy Brech https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/media-nestle-back-themed-carlton-cinema-season/74951 Nestle to back themed Carlton Cinema season Campaign Live 7 June 2001 30 July 2023 7–8 June – Coverage of the 2001 General Election is shown on television. The election sees the Labour Party attain a second successive general election victory. 8 June – Tessa Jowell is appointed as Culture Secretary in a post-election Cabinet reshuffle, replacing Chris Smith.https://news.bbc.co.uk/news/vote2001/hi/english/newsid_1379000/1379064.stm VOTE2001 – Cook loses Foreign Office BBC BBC News 8 June 2001 26 May 2014 9 June ITV screens an edited version of The Dam Busters in which all references to Commander Guy Gibson's dog, Nigger have been removed, leading to criticism from the anti-censorship group Index on Censorship who argue the cuts were "unnecessary and ridiculous" as the dog is an important part of the story. It is the second time the film has been aired with the cuts, it having originally been shown by the network in December 1999. ITV attributes the cuts to a London Weekend Television employee who did not seek approval before editing the film.Dan Milmo https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/jun/11/itv.broadcasting ITV attacked over Dam Busters censorship Guardian Media Group The Guardian 11 June 2001 15 January 2017 The BBC's National Lottery game show Winning Lines returns for its third series, in which Phillip Schofield replaces Simon Mayo as host. 11 June British pop group Atomic Kitten will make a cameo appearance in Home and Away episodes to be filmed in London, it is confirmed. The storyline will feature Donald Fisher bringing his family to the UK.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1383622.stm Soap cameo for Atomic Kitten BBC BBC News 11 June 2001 29 May 2014 Due to poor ratings, from this day weekly episodes of Survivor are reduced from two to one, airing on Mondays at 9pm.Fulton Rick http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ITV+KILLS+SURVIVOR+EPISODES%3B+Axe+falls+in+ratings+slump.-a075341141 ITV kills Survivor episodes; Axe falls in ratings slump Daily Record Trinity Mirror 7 June 2001 16 May 2014 19 June – Channel 4 announces plans to axe The Big Breakfast in early 2002, but signal their willingness to extend the series if suitable proposals to rework the programme are developed.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1396854.stm Big Breakfast washed up BBC BBC News 19 June 2001 23 May 2014 20 June – The Queen's Speech to the new session of parliament includes plans to legislate for the creation of Ofcom, a new media regulator to replace several existing authorities. The body is conceived as a "super-regulator" to oversee media channels that are rapidly converging through digital transmission and its introduction will see the largest shakeup in the British media since the Broadcasting Act 1990.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1398580.stm Queen announces media shake-up BBC BBC News 20 June 2001 5 April 2014 23 June – Late Night with Jerry Springer returns to Channel 5 for a ten-week run, with guests on the opening show including Hear'Say. Other guests to appear in this series include Emma Bunton, Atomic Kitten, Wyclef Jean, Clive James, Antony Worrall Thompson, Ron Atkinson, Sally Lindsay, Pat Cash and Victoria Beckham. The programme attracts some comment following a report about remarks made by Beckham about Geri Halliwell and Alex Ferguson in an interview recorded for the show's 24 August edition.Wilkes Neil http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a3106/late-night-with-springer-returns-to-5/ 'Late Night with Springer' returns to 5 Digitalspy.com 2001-06-18 2018-01-13http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1471865.stm SHOWBIZ | Posh's Geri 'drowning' jibe BBC News 2001-08-03 2018-01-13 25 June – Interactive television makes its debut during coverage of the Wimbledon tennis tournament. 28 June – Wish You Were Here...? presenter Mary Nightingale announces she is stepping down from the role after two years to spend more time with her family. 29 June – S4C's Chwaraeon/Sport 2000 promotional video has won three silver awards in the "Best In-House Promo" at the world Promax Awards ceremony in Miami, Florida. 30 June – A power failure at the BBC Television Centre knocks out all BBC television broadcasts for around 20 minutes. Cartoon Network shut down all its analogue signals to move to Telewest, Cable, NTL, Sky Digital and ON Digital. July 3 July – Rosa Baden-Powell wins the 2001 series of MasterChef. 4 July – Stanley Kubrick's controversial 1971 film A Clockwork Orange makes its British television debut through Sky Box Office.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1393261.stm TV debut for Clockwork Orange BBC BBC News 17 June 2001 27 March 2016 9 July – The first episode of the sitcom The Office is broadcast on BBC Two, starring Ricky Gervais. 11 July – ONdigital is rebranded ITV Digital.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1418601.stm ITV to relaunch as ITV1 BBC BBC News 2 July 2001 24 May 2014 12 July – Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan host their final edition of This Morning, 13 years after the show launched, having previously announced their intention to leave the series. They have been approached by Channel 4 to host a similar show which will begin in the Autumn. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1435377.stm Final curtain for Richard and Judy BBC News 12 July 2001 14 June 2009 14 July – Emma Wilkinson, performing as Dusty Springfield, wins the thirteenth series of Stars in Their Eyes.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1439770.stm Dusty dazzles as Stars winner BBC BBC News 15 July 2001 27 April 2014 16 July Australian soap Home and Away makes its debut on Channel 5.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1441470.stm Home and Away returns BBC BBC News 16 July 2001 16 May 2014 A one-minute news summary called 60 Seconds launches on BBC Choice. 21 July – ITV airs a one-off junior edition of Stars in Their Eyes.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Youngsters+get+their+big+break%3B+Stars+In+Their+Eyes%3A+Kids+Special...-a076672908 Youngsters get their big break; Stars In Their Eyes: Kids Special ITV, 8.15pm Trinity Mirror Daily Record 21 July 2001 27 April 2014 The episode is aired again in August 2002 as the first edition of an expanded junior series. The episode is won by Lewis Devine performing as Donny Osmond. 25 July – Charlotte Hobrough, a 25-year-old Detective Constable from Cardiff, wins the first UK series of Survivor and the show's £1million prize money. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1456902.stm 'Modest' ratings for £1m Survivor BBC News 26 July 2001 27 April 2009 26 July Martin Kemp, who plays Steve Owen in EastEnders will leave the soap after signing a two-year contract with ITV, it is reported. He will depart from the series in March 2002 when his contract with the soap expires.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1458432.stm EastEnders' Kemp joins ITV BBC BBC News 26 July 2001 26 May 2014 Channel 4 airs the controversial one-off special of the spoof documentary series Brass Eye which features celebrities endorsing a fake anti-paedophile campaign. The programme, presented by Chris Morris attracts more than 1,000 complaints to Channel 4 by the following day and a further 500 to the ITC. Both the ITC and Broadcasting Standards Commission launch investigations into the show.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1459590.stm TV satire sparks 1,500 complaints BBC BBC News 27 July 2001 28 April 2014 Despite the controversy caused by its broadcast, the episode is shown again in the early hours of 28 July, while Channel 4 defends its decision to show the programme, saying it makes a serious point about the media's sensational treatment of paedophilia. 27 July London Weekend Television has been fined £100,000 by the Independent Television Commission for breaching rules on sponsorship and product placement in its series Club@vision which had charged nightclubs fees to be included in the programme.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1460888.stm LWT fined Ł100,000 BBC BBC News 27 July 2001 31 May 2014 The US series Will & Grace, the country's first primetime gay sitcom, makes its British television debut on Channel 4.Billen Andrew https://www.newstatesman.com/node/153854 Just good friends Newstatesman.com 2001-07-23 2018-01-13 Brian Dowling, an air steward from Ireland, wins the second series of Big Brother.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1460925.stm Brian wins Big Brother BBC BBC News 28 July 2001 2 April 2014 S2 closes after two years on air. It is initially replaced by the ITV Sport Channel then later ITV2. 28 July – Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown makes her television presenting debut as the host of ITV's This is My Moment which returns for a full series.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Give+Mel+a+bell+for+a+moment+of+fame%3B+There's+a+new+talent+show+on...-a076724339 Give Mel a bell for a moment of fame; There's a new talent show on the horizon for new wannabes, says Phil Gould Phil Gould Trinity Mirror Birmingham Post 24 July 2001 21 April 2014http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1458553.stm Teacher wins Ł40,000 on TV talent show BBC BBC News 28 July 2001 21 April 2014Hyland Ian http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ian+Hyland's+TV+Week+%3A+It's+really+not+your+faulty,+Mel.-a076831184 Ian Hyland's TV Week : It's really not your fault, Mel Trinity Mirror Sunday Mirror 29 July 2001 21 April 2014 The programme performs poorly in the ratings and is axed in February 2002.Miles Lucy http://www.thefreelibrary.com/It's+official...Crossroads+is+the+worst+soap+on+television.-a084977014 It's official...Crossroads is the worst soap on television. – Free Online Library Trinity Mirror The Sunday Mercury 21 April 2002 21 April 2014 29 July – The BBC announces plans for The Saturday Show, a new Saturday morning entertainment programme to replace Live & Kicking.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1463580.stm 'Fresh' show for Saturday mornings BBC BBC News 29 July 2001 18 May 2014 Dani Behr, former host of Channel 4's The Word and Joe Mace who presents the BBC's TOTP Plus are subsequently chosen as its presenters.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1505859.stm Behr challenges Ant and Dec BBC BBC News 23 August 2001 18 May 2014 30 July – After watching the spoof Brass Eye documentary about paedophiles, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell asks the Independent Television Commission to change its procedures so it can rule more swiftly on similar programmes in future.https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,,529528,00.html TV spoof to bring tougher regulation Lucy Ward The Guardian Guardian Media Group 30 July 2001 29 April 2014http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_at_one/1465145.stm Programme causes predictable storm BBC News BBC 30 July 2001 29 April 2014 31 July – The hit sitcom Small Potatoes returns to Channel 4 for a second series. August 9 August – Lecturers at Teesside University have claimed that the raft of detective dramas on television has led to a surge of interest in a new course teaching forensic investigation and crime scene science offered by the university.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1483209.stm TV crime attracts course recruits BBC BBC News 9 August 2001 19 June 2014 10 August – The BBC introduces a fourth weekly episode of EastEnders, to be broadcast on Fridays at 8pm. This causes some controversy as the first episode clashes with Coronation Street which has been moved to 8pm to make way for an hour-long episode of Emmerdale at 7pm. In this first head-to-head battle, EastEnders claims victory over its rival. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/aug/13/broadcasting EastEnders wins soap battle The Guardian 13 August 2001 24 April 2009 London Jason Deans 11 August – ITV in England and Wales changes its name to ITV1, due to the growing number of other ITV services, including ITV2, ITV Digital and the ITV Sport Channel which launches on the same day. The ITV1 name is used until 2013, but returns in 2022.Wilkes Neil http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a3233/itv-rebrand-the-official-announcement.html#~oFdWhrwA08Vvjd ITV rebrand: The official announcement Digital Spy 2 July 2001 24 May 2014 15 August Unveiling its Autumn schedule, the BBC announces that the ten-part World War II drama, Band of Brothers will air on BBC Two, instead of BBC One as originally planned. The broadcaster says the decision to move the series is to allow "an uninterrupted 10-week run" and not because it was considered not to be mainstream enough.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1492257.stm BBC News Spielberg epic loses prime slot 15 August 2001 16 March 2014 Ruth England is named as the new presenter of Wish You Were Here...?, replacing Mary Nightingale.Julia Day https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/aug/15/itv.broadcasting2 England lands TV holiday job Guardian Media Group The Guardian 15 August 2001 30 April 2015 16 August – Former model Twiggy (Lawson) and 70s pop singer Coleen Nolan are chosen to take over from Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan as presenters of This Morning. They will host the show on a rotation basis with Fern Britton and John Leslie.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1495256.stm Twiggy to replace Richard and Judy BBC BBC News 16 August 2001 13 June 2014 18 August ITV1's The Premiership goes on air with much fanfare at 7pm. ITV had won the television rights to show FA Premier League highlights the previous year http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1471752.stm ITV kicks off soccer coverage BBC News 3 August 2001 14 May 2009 and had decided to air the show at a time when they thought that football fans and family alike could watch it together. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1482771.stm Saturday night TV fever BBC News Oliver Clancy 9 August 2001 14 May 2009 A later edition of the show goes out at 11pm, providing extended highlights. The hugely controversial move proves unpopular with viewers, and the following week ITV suffers their worst Saturday night ratings for five years. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1511568.stm ITV Premiership ratings plunge BBC News 27 August 2001 14 May 2009 After two months, figures have not greatly improved and in October the early evening slot is deemed to have been a failure and was axed. Debut of the ten-part BBC Two series I Love the '90s which examines the pop culture of the 1990s. The series begins with I Love 1990 and concludes on 3 November with I Love 1999.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/85bda45871c048fea6755ec7b5127e89 I Love the Nineties – BBC Two England – 18 August 2001 BBC Genome BBC 7 July 2017 18 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181118035843/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/85bda45871c048fea6755ec7b5127e89 dead http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f101e097eb4e458cbe7a072f6b689f55 Love the Nineties – BBC Two England – 3 November 2001 BBC Genome BBC 7 July 2017 August 2026 InternetArchiveBot 19 August – ITV1 broadcasts Beech on the Run, a 90-minute special of The Bill filmed in Sydney, Australia and featuring the return of Don Beech (played by Billy Murray). The episode is a precursor to a full series featuring Beech and titled Beech is Back.https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Must+see+TV%3B+The+best+on+TV+this+week+with+David+Spedding.-a077299483 Must see TV; The best on TV this week with David Spedding. – Free Online Library Thefreelibrary.com 2018-01-13 22 August – Pay-per-view service ONrequest rebrands as ITV Select.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a3557/onrequest-rebrand-date-confirmed.html#~oLDjfKTk9V1p1k ONrequest rebrand date confirmed Digital Spy 17 August 2001 31 July 2014 24 August – A special edition of the BBC One garden makeover programme Ground Force sees Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh design and create a memorial garden for Jill Dando in her home town of Weston-super-Mare.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+peaceful+haven+for+Jill%3B+PICK+OF+THE+BOX.-a077473430 A peaceful haven for Jill; Pick of the Box Daily Record Trinity Mirror 24 August 2001 19 April 2014http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TV's+Ground+Force+make+garden+for+Jill.-a076378745 TV's Ground Force make garden for Jill Colin Wills Trinity Mirror Sunday Mirror 8 July 2001 19 April 2014 29 August – American illusionist David Blaine appears on GMTV where he is interviewed by presenter Eamonn Holmes, but refuses to speak and instead gives him the "evil eye". Holmes has subsequently cited this interview as the most awkward moment of his professional career.Nicola Methven http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Blaine's+silence+is+not+golden.-a077696376 Blaine's silence is not golden Trinity Mirror Daily Record 30 August 2001 25 March 2016Sophie Morris https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/eamonn-holmes-my-life-in-media-6095831.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/eamonn-holmes-my-life-in-media-6095831.html 1 May 2022 subscription Eamonn Holmes: My Life In Media Independent Print Limited The Independent 9 July 2006 25 March 2016 30 August – ITV1 will reduce its number of weekly episodes of Crossroads from five to four, dropping its Friday episode from the week beginning 10 September. The move is to make way for a new interactive game show, The Biggest Game in Town which will air on Fridays and also be part of the channel's daily lunchtime schedule.Jessica Hodgson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/aug/30/itv.broadcasting ITV cuts back Crossroads Guardian Media Group The Guardian 30 August 2001 27 May 2014http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/article/507876/itv-cuts-crossroads-friday-slot ITV cuts Crossroads from Friday slot Media Week 31 August 2001 27 May 2014Jury Louise https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/itvs-crossroads-finds-fridays-fully-booked-667547.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090118151015/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/itvs-crossroads-finds-fridays-fully-booked-667547.html dead 18 January 2009 ITV's Crossroads finds Fridays fully booked Independent Print Limited The Independent 31 August 2001 27 May 2014 31 August – After a five-year break, the hit sitcom Absolutely Fabulous returns for a full series on BBC One. September 1 September – Northern Ireland air stewardess Ellie Barr wins the final edition of ITV1's This Is My Moment and a £135,000 prize, after impressing viewers with her rendition of Ralph McTell's "Streets of London".https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/sep/03/1 Today's media stories from the papers Guardian Media Group The Guardian 3 September 2001 21 March 2016http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ulster+girl+Ellie+has+a+perfect+moment.-a077783280 Ulster girl Ellie has a perfect moment Trinity Mirror The People 2 September 2001 21 March 2016 2 September – .tv, formerly The Computer Channel, closes down due to low ratings. 3 September Kent and Sussex get their own news programme, BBC South East Today. Twiggy (Lawson) and Coleen Nolan make their debut as replacements for Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan as presenters of the This Morning.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1523098.stm Twiggy takes This Morning hotseat BBC BBC News 3 September 2001 13 June 2014 Overnight viewing figures published the following day suggest the show had an audience of 1 million.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1525045.stm Slow start for new-look This Morning BBC BBC News 4 September 2001 13 June 2014 ITV1 debuts Soapstars, the broadcaster's latest reality series. It sees members of the public auditioning to become one of five new characters in Emmerdale.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/PICK+OF+THE+BOX%3B+Hopefuls+land+in+soapy+bubble.-a077789381 Pick of the box; Hopefuls land in soapy bubble Trinity Mirror Daily Record 3 September 2001 3 April 2014http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SOAPSTARS%3A+I'm+not+Evil+Yvon+for+the+sake+of+it..+it's+better+I+put...-a077924251 Soapstars: I'm not Evil Yvon for the sake of it.. it's better I put people out of their misery Trinity Mirror The Mirror Christine Smith 7 September 2001 3 April 2014 5 September – The actors' union Equity criticises ITV1's Soapstars as demeaning to its members.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1527501.stm Equity anger at Soapstars BBC BBC News 5 September 2001 3 April 2014 6 September Stars from The Royle Family and Coronation Street help to launch Excuses Kill – Get a Smoke Alarm, a government campaign to fit smoke alarms.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1527435.stm Smoke alarm campaign launched BBC BBC News 6 September 2001 14 June 2014 The Independent Television Commission orders Channel 4 to broadcast an apology over the controversial special edition of satirical series Brass Eye that featured celebrities giving their backing to a spoof anti-paedophilia campaign and attracted a raft of complaints from viewers. The ITC rules that Channel 4 breached the guidelines by failing to give sufficient warning about the programme's nature and not doing enough to avoid causing "gratuitous offence". The ITC's findings are supported by the Broadcasting Standards Commission.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1529015.stm Watchdog orders Brass Eye apology BBC BBC News 6 September 2001 28 August 2014http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TV+SEX+BEASTS+SPOOF+RAPPED.-a077923600 TV sex beasts spoof rapped Trinity Mirror Daily Record 7 September 2001 28 April 2014 10 September The BBC unveils more details of The Saturday Show which will compete with ITV1's SMTV Live by having a more grown-up feel to it.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1535982.stm Behr: I'll make Saturday 'sexy' BBC BBC News 10 September 2001 18 May 2014 During a recording of the ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, contestant Charles Ingram wins the £1,000,000 prize. However, the payout is later suspended when he is accused of cheating by having his wife, Diana and an accomplice, Tecwen Whittock, cough when host Chris Tarrant read out the correct answers.http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/The_Ingrams_Millionaire_Trial The Ingrams Millionaire Trial UK Gameshows.com 15 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090129205615/http://ukgameshows.com/page/index.php?title=The_Ingrams_Millionaire_Trial 29 January 2009 live 11 September British viewers witness a terrorist attack on the United States and the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City, live on television. BBC One simulcasts BBC News 24's coverage immediately after the lunchtime showing of Neighbours, cancelling Diagnosis: Murder and a repeat of Birds of a Feather. Both afternoon and evening regional news magazines only runs for five minutes due to the news coverage. A news special replaces Holiday: You Call the Shots, while EastEnders and the season premiere of Changing Rooms airs as usual. A new episode of Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes is replaced by another news special, named America Under Siege, and presented by David Dimbleby, while the documentary series Brighton Bill and the film Fire in the Sky are also dropped, to make way for a repeat of the documentary series Boss Women. BBC One joins BBC News 24 one hour earlier than scheduled. In order to carry the CBBC programming block and the afternoon repeat of Neighbours, who were left over by BBC News 24 coverage on BBC One, BBC Two cancels Awash with Colour, Ready Steady Cook, and The Weakest Link. It also airs BBC News 24's news special while BBC One airs its normal programming, dropping as a result Star Trek: Voyager, Roswell High, a repeat of Bill Oddie Goes Wild and Food and Drink. In addition, the documentary Correspondent: Licence to Kill is replaced by an extended Newsnight. ITV1 made its first news report after the first part of Crossroads ended. The news coverage cancels a repeat of Catchphrase and sends the CITV programming block, The People Versus and the repeat of that day's episode of Crossroads to ITV2. Afternoon and evening local news and magazine programmes are dropped, while Emmerdale airs normally. Another news special replaces The Real Eastenders, with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? airing in its normal time, while ITV News at Ten starts an hour early, (displacing The Bill) followed by delayed regional news and The Big Match. Nightime programming (The Web Review, another edition of The Big Match, World Sport, Nationwide Football League Extra, American Judge Judy and ITV Nightscreen) are all dropped, in favour of more news and a simulcast of NBC's coverage. Channel 4 is later criticised for its slow response after it continues showing the day's afternoon film That Hamilton Woman for over an hour after other networks have been covering the terrorist attacks. ITV rejects claims that Twiggy has been demoted as the main presenter of This Morning after reports television insiders had criticised her presenting style as wooden. She will now take turns with Coleen Nolan anchoring the show alongside John Leslie.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1537304.stm ITV denies Twiggy demotion BBC BBC News 11 September 2001 13 June 2014 12 September – Further changes are made to evening schedules on both BBC One and ITV1 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. BBC One airs an hour long Six O'Clock News with regional news programmes following at 7pm. Two short news summaries are shown at 8pm and 8:55pm, inbetween The Weakest Link and The National Lottery Winning Lines whilst the first episode of The Blue Planet is aired as scheduled at 9pm. On ITV1, the Champions League match between Manchester United and Olympiacos is postponed by UEFA as a mark of respect, with the slot filled by that night's episode of Coronation Street being brought forward into its normal timeslot, followed by a repeat of It'll Be Alright on the Night before News at Ten is again extended and begins an hour early at 9pm. 13 September – An edition of the political debate show Question Time devoted to the political implications of the 9/11 attacks, features many contributions from members of the audience expressing strong anti-American views. The BBC receives more than 2,000 complaints in the show's aftermath and later apologises to viewers for causing offence, stating that the edition should not have been broadcast live, but rather should have been recorded and edited.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1544897.stm BBC chief apologises for terror debate BBC BBC News 15 September 2001 10 May 2014 14 September – A national memorial service held at St Paul's Cathedral for the victims of the 11 September terrorist attacks. The service is broadcast on television on both BBC One (cancelling both Wipeout and Doctors, with Trading Up being replaced by a delayed Bargain Hunt) and ITV1 (dropping the lunchtime regional news magazines) 15 September – The BBC One Saturday morning magazine show Live & Kicking comes to an end after eight years. The final edition is presented by Sarah Cawood, Heather Suttie, Ortis Deley and Trey Farley.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/4a56f8ed9a974478afb69c7c3d2bc18b Live and Kicking – BBC One London – 15 September 2001 – BBC Genome Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 2018-01-13 15 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170115022308/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/4a56f8ed9a974478afb69c7c3d2bc18b dead http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1231028.stm Live & Kicking gets boot BBC BBC News 20 March 2001 15 June 2019 17 September – Channel 4's The Big Breakfast is criticised by the Independent Television Commission after presenter Richard Bacon made jokes about Alzheimer's disease during a newspaper review of an article discussing a new vaccine against the illness.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1548038.stm Big Breakfast rapped for jokes BBC BBC News 17 September 2001 17 May 2014 21 September – BBC One and ITV airs a live feed of America: A Tribute to Heroes, a two-hour American telethon to raise money for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.https://www.nme.com/news/mariah-carey/9396 Hero Worship NME 22 September 2001 31 July 2014 The event is repeated by BBC One on 23 September.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1557441.stm Huge audience for all-star telethon BBC BBC News 23 September 2001 31 July 2014 The telethon raises $150m (£103m) which will be donated to the United Way's 11 September Fund.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1562007.stm All-star telethon raises $150m BBC BBC News 25 September 2001 31 July 2014 22 September – Debut of The Saturday Show on BBC One, but with an audience of 800,000, the first edition fails to match the 1.9 million tuning into its ITV counterpart, SMTV Live.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1560383.stm Long haul for Saturday Show BBC BBC News 24 September 2001 18 May 2014 24 September – The long-running Channel 4 game show Countdown starts its new 15-round format and 45-minute running time, its biggest change to its format since it first aired in 1982. 26 September – BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2, featuring a live concert from Elton John.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a12015307e3d4c1d96a0e451e9a6bc66 TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 26 September 2001 – BBC Genome genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 30 October 2018 31 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181031053144/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a12015307e3d4c1d96a0e451e9a6bc66 dead 28 September – Granada Television's flagship nightly news programme Granada Tonight is rebranded to its original title Granada Reports. 29 September Jason Hain, Dee Whitehead, Mark Jardine, Elspeth Brodie and Ruth Abram are announced as the winners of ITV1's Soapstars. They will play a new family in Emmerdale.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Jason+is+picked+as+Soapstar.-a078770095 Jason is picked as Soapstar Angela Cooke Sunday Mirror Trinity Mirror 30 September 2001 3 April 2014 Former company director Robert Brydges becomes the third person ever to win £1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The edition including his win was recorded on 25 September and is broadcast on this day.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1566029.stm Fourth Millionaire 'is millionaire' BBC BBC News 27 September 2001 13 May 2014 The final episode of Cilla's Moment of Truth is broadcast on ITV1. The programme is axed after a decline in ratings due to it being shown in an earlier timeslot because of The Premiership airing in its usual slot. 30 September – Twiggy is axed from This Morning because of falling ratings.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1571533.stm Twiggy 'axed from This Morning' BBC BBC News 30 September 2001 13 June 2014 ITV confirms on 2 October that she will not be seen on screen again, having presented her final show on 28 September.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1575335.stm ITV confirms Twiggy axe BBC BBC News 2 October 2001 13 June 2014 October 1 October BBC London is launched, replacing Newsroom South East.Welsh James http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a3863/countdown-to-launch-of-new-bbc-london-services.html#~oLwnHTYCSkkbU1 Countdown to launch of new BBC London services Digital Spy 24 September 2001 30 July 2014 Actors' union Equity denies reports in the Daily Star that its members have refused to work with the winners of ITV1's Soapstars.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1573080.stm Emmerdale strike over Soapstars denied BBC BBC News 1 October 2001 4 April 2014 Films such as A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2 will make their British television debut on the BBC after they signed a deal with Buena Vista International Television for the broadcast rights to several of its films.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1574049.stm BBC to screen Disney classics BBC BBC News 1 October 2001 30 July 2014 2 October – With the following day's Channel 4 schedule including another showing of That Hamilton Woman, the film it was screening on the afternoon of 11 September, Mirror TV critic Jim Shelley uses his Shelley Vision column to criticise the channel's slow response to the 11 September terrorist attacks.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Shelley+Vision%3A+Controllers+lost+the+plot.-a078818253 Shelley Vision: Controllers lost the plot Trinity Mirror The Mirror 2 October 2001 31 March 2014 5 October Tamzin Outhwaite bows out of EastEnders as Melanie Owen and will depart in April 2002.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1581407.stm EastEnders Tamzin bows out BBC BBC News 5 October 2001 12 December 2019 The World War II epic Band of Brothers makes its UK television debut.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1535834.stm Band of Brothers: Your views BBC BBC News 10 September 2001 16 March 2014 6 October A Match of the Day special covering England's World Cup qualifier match against Greece is watched by 6.8 million viewers, gaining a 57.1% audience share and beating ITV1's Saturday afternoon lineup.Aston Steve http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings-bbc-football-coverage-kicks-itv-into-touch/1183694.article BBC football coverage kicks ITV into touch Broadcast 12 October 2001 22 June 2014 Challenge of a Lifetime debuts on ITV1. The UK version of Pop Idol debuts on ITV1.http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/reject-threatened-waterman-3177140 Reject threatened Waterman Trinity Mirror Coventry Evening Telegraph 26 September 2001 13 June 2014 7 October – ITV1 airs Anybody's Nightmare, a dramatisation of the case of Sheila Bowler, a woman wrongly convicted of the murder of an aunt.Rachel Cooke https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/oct/04/gender.uk The innocent Guardian Media Group The Guardian 3 October 2001 13 August 2016 11 October – ITV's London Weekend Television says it is considering the future of one of its entertainers, Michael Barrymore, after he was cautioned by police for possession of cannabis and allowing it to be smoked at his home. The caution follows an investigation into the death of a 31-year-old man at a party at Barrymore's property earlier in the year.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1593301.stm LWT ponders Barrymore's future BBC BBC News 11 October 2001 2 May 2014 The broadcaster announces on 20 November that a new series of My Kind of Music has been commissioned for early 2002.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1666552.stm Barrymore to return to TV BBC BBC News 20 November 2001 2 May 2014 But following an inquest into the death which records an open verdict, ITV announces in September 2002 that it will not be commissioning any more programmes from him.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2271289.stm ITV dumps Barrymore BBC BBC News 20 September 2002 2 May 2014 The case is reopened in December 2006 and Barrymore is subsequently questioned about the incident along with two other men, but the Crown Prosecution Service advises in September 2007 that nobody should be charged over the death.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/6986155.stm Barrymore will not face charges BBC BBC News 10 September 2007 2 May 2014 14 October – An advert on the back pages of several Sunday newspapers appeals for potential participants for a new BBC series titled The Experiment which will attempt to recreate the controversial Stanford prison experiment of 1971, a psychological study that sought to study the effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard on a group of students and which its creator had said should never be repeated because of the adverse effect on those who took part.Emma Brockes https://www.theguardian.com/education/2001/oct/16/medicalscience.realitytv The experiment Guardian Media Group The Guardian 16 October 2002 10 April 2014 In January 2002, it is reported that the project which had been due to last ten days, is finished early after the behaviour of those involved began to degenerate, a similar fate that befell the original experiment. However, psychologists say they have gathered a lot of useful data about the understanding of power and powerlessness.Matt Wells https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jan/24/bbc.socialsciences BBC halts 'prison experiment' Guardian Media Group The Guardian 24 January 2002 10 April 2014 30 October – Michael Barrymore speaks publicly for the first time about events preceding the death of a man at his home in an interview with journalist Martin Bashir for ITV1's Tonight with Trevor McDonald.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1627166.stm Barrymore goes public over tragedy BBC BBC News 30 October 2001 2 May 2014 November 2 November – Jenny Richards, a young mother from Newport, Wales wins the first series of Channel 4's Model Behaviour. Her prize is a 12-month contract with Premier Model Management.Bushby Tony http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Girls+exhibit+their+model+behaviour.-a079504858 Girls exhibit their model behaviour Sunday Mirror Trinity Mirror 28 October 2001 17 May 2014Gilheaney John http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ON+A+DIET+BY+AGE+OF+11%3B+Shock+survey+of+children+%26+food+moved+me+to...-a079730469 On a diet by the age of 11; Shock survey of children & food moved me to tears, says TV's Jane Wales on Sunday 4 November 2001 17 May 2014Hockney Karen http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VALLEY+OF+THE+DOLL%3B+Jenny+Richards+reveals+how+winning+the+first...-a091513586 Valley of the doll; Jenny Richards reveals how winning the first series of Model Behaviour has totally changed her life The Mirror Trinity Mirror 14 September 2002 17 May 2014 5 November BBC 2W, a new digital channel for Wales, is launched.Wilkes Neil http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a4085/2w-to-launch-november-5.html#~oHz9VgeOLXx4wY 2W to launch November 5 Digital Spy 27 October 2001 18 June 2014 Fern Britton returns to This Morning following her maternity leave and will alternate presenting it with John Leslie and Coleen Nolan. Her return leads to the programme's first increase in audience figures since the departure of Richard and Judy earlier in the year.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1644878.stm Fern brightens This Morning figures BBC BBC News 8 November 2001 13 June 2014 UK Food launches. Consequently, UK Style focusses on programming about the home. 6 November – Launch of ITV1's latest soap, Night and Day about the lives of six families living in a street in Greenwich. Three weekday episodes are aired on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as a late night edited for adults version on Thursdays. The programme's theme tune, "Always & Forever", is sung by Kylie Minogue. The series is unusual for UK soaps in that it contains background music.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tasty+new+recipe+for+tea-time%3B+PICK+OF+THE+BOX.-a079777922 Tasty new recipe for tea-time Trinity Mirror Daily Record 6 November 2001 18 June 2014 7 November – The soap family assembled by ITV1's reality series Soapstars make their debut in Emmerdale. Originally contracted to appear in the series for three months, their contract is extended by a further three months.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1644357.stm Emmerdale's Soapstars to stay BBC BBC News 8 November 2001 3 April 2014 12 November Figures released by the Independent Television Commission show a decline in the percentage of viewers watching ITV, down from 29.6% in 2000 to 28% in 2001. Audiences for BBC One and Channel 4 have also dropped, while BBC Two's audience share increased slightly.Wilkes Neil http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a4182/itv-audience-share-falls-to-28-percent.html#~oLwkAubU35Cavl ITV audience share falls to 28% Digital Spy 12 November 2001 30 July 2014 The running time of ITV1's This Morning is reduced by 30 minutes, making it a 90-minute programme.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1633790.stm This Morning shrinks in size BBC BBC News 2 November 2001 13 June 2014 14 November BBC Two announces that the current idents which have been in use since 1991 are to be axed and will be replaced by a new set of four computer generated idents on 19 November.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/nov/14/marketingandpr.bbc BBC2 gives its on-screen logo a new look 23 April 2017 British terrestrial television premiere of the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough on ITV1, starring Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Denise Richards and Robert Carlyle.https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/history_bond_on_tv.php3 James Bond on TV – Movies MI6 – The Home of James Bond 007 5 April 2011 26 January 2018 6 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201106124333/https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/history_bond_on_tv.php3 dead 15 November – Debut of BBC One's Walking with Beasts, a six-part sequel to Walking with Dinosaurs that takes place after the extinction of the dinosaurs and recreates animals of the Cenozoic with computer-generated imagery and animatronics.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/43dce59daeb449e89e94a89ec5bcc3fd Walking with Beasts – BBC One London – 15 November 2001 – BBC Genome genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 10 October 2018 11 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013759/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/43dce59daeb449e89e94a89ec5bcc3fd dead The series concludes on 20 December.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f3ebf6d54625495fba81ebca4767d5f0 Walking with Beasts: Mammoth Journey – BBC One London – 20 December 2001 – BBC Genome genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 10 October 2018 10 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213617/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f3ebf6d54625495fba81ebca4767d5f0 dead 16 November – The BBC's seven-hour Children in Need television fundraiser has so far raised nearly £13 million for charity.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1659535.stm Children in Need raises millions 27 October 2017 17 November – The Premiership is moved from its original 7pm slot to a permanent later time of 10:30pm, with repeats shown early on Sunday mornings. The last 7pm show had aired the previous Saturday (10 November). 19 November BBC Two introduces a new set of four computer generated idents at 7am, replacing the previous set of over 20, four of which dating back to 1991. ITV2 rebrands on the same day. Helen O'Rahilly, a BBC producer and former Director of Television Production at RTÉ is appointed as the first Channels Executive for BBCi.http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=199&sr=1&only=1&hl=ifi&tpl=archnews Helen O'Rahilly Appointed to BBCi | The Irish Film & Television Network Iftn.ie 19 November 2001 25 January 2012 The BBC announces details of two forthcoming digital channels for children to be launched in Spring 2002. CBeebies will be aimed at preschool children, while CBBC will offer programming for a slightly older audience. The digital channels will have a budget of £40 million. The new channels would actually launch on 11 February 2002.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1665492.stm BBC children's channels unveiled BBC BBC News 20 November 2001 17 May 2014http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1666285.stm £40m for BBC children's channels BBC BBC News 11 November 2001 17 November 2014 24 November – ITN reporter Andrea Catherwood is injured in the knee by shrapnel when a Taliban prisoner explodes a concealed grenade that kills himself and two other men close by. Catherwood was reporting from Mazari Sharif where she was watching captured Taliban prisoners disembarking from lorries. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/1363393/ITN-reporter-wounded-by-Taliban-suicide-grenade.html ITN reporter wounded by Taliban suicide grenade The Telegraph Damien McElroy 25 November 2001 14 June 2009 London 26 November – Richard & Judy debuts on Channel 4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1676564.stm Richard and Judy talk teatime BBC News 26 November 2001 14 June 2009 27 November The Independent Television Commission is investigating WHSmith's Christmas advertising campaign featuring a family of fat people from Newcastle upon Tyne after criticism and complaints that it is offensive to Geordies.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1679018.stm Advert 'offends' Geordies BBC BBC News 27 November 2001 23 May 2014 ITV dismisses media reports that its dilemma-based quiz show Shafted has been axed after three episodes. The programme, aired in the Monday night ITV1 schedule at 8:30pm is replaced by Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? because it was affecting audience figures for the drama Cold Feet which goes out afterwards, but an ITV spokeswoman says the show will return for an uninterrupted run in the channel's Winter schedule.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1679438.stm Shafted to return next year BBC BBC News 27 November 2001 6 May 2014Dan Milmo https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/nov/27/broadcasting Kilroy-Silk, you've been Shafted Guardian Media Group The Guardian 27 November 2001 6 May 2014 The show did not return, however and in 2006 is included as one of the worst British television shows of the 2000s in the Penguin TV Companion.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/24/ucomedy.xml https://web.archive.org/web/20071212203337/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2006%2F10%2F24%2Fucomedy.xml Racist stereotypes 'make the worst TV' Ben Quinn 27 October 2006 The Telegraph Telegraph Media Group 12 December 2007 dead 29 November – ITV signs a £500,000 deal with Disneyland Paris for it to sponsor the broadcaster's New Year programming on 31 December and 1 January.http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/itv-signs-up-euro-disney-resort-to-sponsor-new-year-programming/2010001.article ITV signs up Euro Disney resort to sponsor New Year programming Marketing Week 29 November 2001 30 July 2014 December 1 December Ant & Dec present their final editions of SM:TV and CD:UK, having decided to leave the programmes to concentrate on developing their primetime television careers.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1685104.stm Ant and Dec's tearful finale BBC BBC News 1 December 2001 21 June 2014 The Carlton channel Taste CFN closes after 5 years on the air. 8 December – The S Club 7 single "Don't Stop Movin" is voted the 2001 Record of the Year by ITV viewers.http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_1700000/1700143.stm S Club 7 win Record of the Year 2001 BBC BBC News 9 December 2001 27 May 2014 9 December Footballer David Beckham is named as this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/sports_personality/1700573.stm Beckham lands BBC honour BBC BBC Sport 9 December 2001 7 November 2015 Chris Lintern wins the second series of The Mole. 12 December – BBC Director of Television Mark Thompson is named as the new Chief Executive of Channel 4, succeeding Michael Jackson in March 2002.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1703421.stm BBC man to head Channel 4 BBC BBC News 12 December 2001 22 June 2014 13 December – Lynette Lithgow, a 51-year-old former BBC newsreader, is found murdered with her mother and brother-in-law at the family home in Trinidad.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1711534.stm Tributes flood in for murdered journalist BBC BBC News 15 December 2001 16 May 2014http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1720678.stm Relative charged with Pearson murder BBC BBC News 20 December 2001 16 May 2014 Lester Pitman and Daniel Agard, the latter a relative of the family are subsequently charged and in July 2004 are sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted of the murders.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3896097.stm Pair to hang for newsreader's death BBC BBC News 15 July 2004 16 May 2014 A retrial is subsequently ordered for Agard,Boodan Theron http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,28200.html Pitman to hang Monday Trinidad and Tobago Newsday 9 June 2005 16 May 2014 while Pitman's death sentence is later commuted to one of 40 years.http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,188101.html Pitman gets 40 years Trinidad and Tobago Newsday 19 December 2013 16 May 2014 17 December Former Culture Secretary Chris Smith has taken up a consultative role with Disney Television, his office confirms.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1715445.stm Chris Smith takes Disney job BBC BBC News 17 December 2001 30 July 2014 The original Top Gear airs for the last time. It is relaunched in its new format the following year. Gullane Entertainment, the owners at this time of Thomas the Tank Engine, Sooty and Art Attack, purchases a majority stake in the Welsh children's series Fireman Sam for £16 million from S4C International. The deal allows for a new season of 26 episodes to be produced and a remaster of the first four series.Griffiths Katherine 19 December 2001 Gullane to pay £1.6m for half the rights to 'Fireman Sam' The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/gullane-pay-ps1-6m-half-rights-fireman-sam-9273971.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/gullane-pay-ps1-6m-half-rights-fireman-sam-9273971.html 1 May 2022 subscription live 5 April 2021 19 December – BSkyB has signed a deal with Channel 5 that will allow its breakfast show, Sky News Sunrise to be shown on the channel from 6am to 6:30am on weekdays and 7am to 8am at weekends. The programme will appear on Channel 5 from 7 January 2002 and will be the first time Sky News content has been seen on terrestrial television for a decade, the last time it was shown on terrestrial television was on the last few months of broadcasting of TV-am in 1992.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1719139.stm Sky News gets Channel 5 airing BBC BBC News 19 December 2001 23 May 2014 20 December – A joint venture between BSkyB and Princess Productions has been awarded the contract to produce a replacement breakfast programme for Channel 4 when The Big Breakfast is axed in March 2002.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1720819.stm Sky wins Big Breakfast slot BBC BBC News 20 December 2001 23 May 2014 22 December Pop Idol contestant Rik Waller withdraws from the knockout stage of the competition because of a throat infection, having been allowed to sit out the previous week's show in the hope he would recover. His place is taken by Darius Danesh who was third in the same qualifying heat as Waller.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1725396.stm Pop Idol's Rik bows out BBC BBC News 22 December 2001 29 May 2014 The pilot for Harry Hill's TV Burp is aired on ITV1. The first full series is shown from November next year. 23 December – BBC One airs the network television premiere of Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. 25 December – Only Fools and Horses returns for the first of three Christmas specials after previously ending in 1996 for the classic sitcom's 20th anniversary. The special, If They Could See Us Now gets 21.34 million viewers, the UK's highest rated show of the entire decade of 2000–2009. Other Christmas Day highlights on BBC One include Toy Story, the first part of a two-part dramatisation of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World and Sliding Doors.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/2001-12-25 BBC One London – 25 December 2001 BBC Genome BBC 26 October 2016 27 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161027063109/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/2001-12-25 dead 29 December – This evening's episode of Blind Date sees contestant Hannarle Davies from Essex propose to Mark Ackerell from Buckinghamshire after they fell in love on their date to Vienna, Austria.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1733165.stm Blind Date contestant's proposal BBC BBC News 29 December 2001 24 August 2014 Davies later admits that the proposal was a joke.2 January 2002 Chafford Hundred: Blind Date pair 'wedding' was just a joke Daily Gazette https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5476406.chafford-hundred-blind-date-pair-wedding-was-just-a-joke/ 22 June 2022 31 December – Smallville makes its UK television debut on Channel 4. Wellbeing, a joint venture of Granada TV and the Boots Pharmacy chain,Vickers Amy Granada/Boots health venture sets launch date https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/mar/06/newmedia.broadcasting The Guardian 11 August 2015 6 March 2001Reece Damian Wellbeing on starting line https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4485046/Wellbeing-on-starting-line.html 11 August 2015 11 March 2001 closes after less than a year on air.Granada To Close WellBeing TV Channel http://mediatel.co.uk/newsline/2001/11/29/granada-to-close-wellbeing-tv-channel/ Mediatel Newsline 11 August 2015 29 November 2001 Debuts BBC 1 January Gentlemen's Relish (2001) Two Thousand Acres of Sky (2001–2003) Fun at the Funeral Parlour (2001–2002) 3 January – Custer's Last Stand-up (2001) 5 January – El Nombre (2001–2003) 7 January – Rebel Heart (2001) 9 January – Judge John Deed (2001–2007) 10 January – In a Land of Plenty (2001) 13 January – I Love the '80s (2001) 16 January – Look and Read: Zzaap and the Word Master (2001) 20 January – Jet Set (2001–2007) 30 January – Congo (2001) 2 February Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (2001) Office Gossip (2001) 4 February – Love in a Cold Climate (2001) 18 February – Best of Both Worlds (2001) 19 February – In Deep (2001–2003) 25 February – Attention Scum (2001) 26 February – Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001–2011) 4 March – Are You Dave Gorman? (2001) 12 March – The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001–2008) 20 March – Happiness (2001–2003) 26 March So What Now? (2001) NCS: Manhunt (2001–2002) 6 April – Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006) 14 April – Dog Eat Dog (2001–2002) 22 April – Murder in Mind (2001–2003) 24 April – The Savages (2001) 9 May – Residents (2001) 10 May – Perfect Strangers (2001) 26 May – Messiah (2001–2008) 4 June – Score (2001) 9 June – The Joy of Text (2001) 10 June – Speed (2001) 14 June – Nice Guy Eddie (2001–2002) 22 June – The Cazalets (2001) 24 June – World of Pub (2001) 1 July – Velvet Soup (2001–2003) 9 July – The Office (2001–2003) 10 July – Strumpet (2001) 16 July 60 Seconds (2001–2016) Merseybeat (2001–2004) 22 July – Life as We Know It (2001) 2 August – Tales from Pleasure Beach (2001) 18 August – I Love the '90s (2001) 26 August – Victoria & Albert (2001) 28 August – Bedtime (2001–2003) 3 September The Cramp Twins (2001–2005) South East Today (2001–present) What the Victorians Did for Us (2001) 4 September – Ultimate Book of Spells (2001–2002) 10 September – 'Orrible (2001) 12 September – The Blue Planet (2001) 16 September – Armadillo (2001) 17 September – Barnaby Bear (as part of Watch) 18 September — So Little Time (2001–2002) 22 September – The Saturday Show (2001–2005) 24 September – Eureka TV (2001–2005) 26 September – Oscar Charlie (2001) 27 September – Hollywood 7 (2001) 30 September – Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise (2001) 1 October – BBC London News (2001–present) 5 October – Band of Brothers (2001) 8 October – Robot Wars Extreme (2001–2003) 10 October – Babyfather (2001–2002) 14 October – LA Pool Party (2001–2002) 15 October – Sweet Revenge (2001) 17 October – The Bench (2001–2002) 28 October Invasion (2001) Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show! (2001–2002) 30 October – Linda Green (2001–2002) 2 November – Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001–2010) 6 November – Blood of the Vikings (2001) 7 November – Wild Africa (2001) 11 November – The Way We Live Now (2001) 12 November The Kumars at No. 42 (2001–2006 BBC, 2014–present Sky) Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible (2001) Mr. Charity (2001) 15 November – Walking with Beasts (2001) 17 November – The Waiting Game (2001–2002) 29 November – What Not to Wear (2001–2007) 8 December – The Private Life of a Masterpiece (2001–2010) 9 December – I Was a Rat (2001) 25 December – The Lost World (2001) 28 December – Red Cap (2001, 2003–2004) Unknown – Binka (2001) ITV (Including ITV1 and ITV2) 10 January – Popstars (2001) 21 March – The Hunt (2001) 22 April – High Stakes (2001) 12 May – Slap Bang with Ant & Dec (2001) 14 May – Sam's Game (2001) 21 May – Survivor (2001–2002) 27 May – The Glass (2001) 6 June – Real Crime (2001–2011) 10 June – Tiny Planets (2001–2002) 1 July – Ky's Bommerang (2001–2003) 5 August – Take Me (2001) 18 August The Goal Rush (2001–2003) The Premiership (2001–2004) 3 September – Cardcaptors 3 September – Soapstars (2001) 10 September Bob & Rose (2001) The Biggest Game in Town (2001) 10 September The Sketch Show (2001–2003) 6 October – Pop Idol (2001–2003) 14 October Hidden Treasure (2001) 2DTV (2001–2004) 15 October – Angelina Ballerina (2001–2006) 22 October – Back Home (2001) 28 October – My Uncle Silas (2001–2003) 5 November Sooty (2001–2004) Shafted (2001) 6 November – Night and Day (2001–2003) 19 November – 24Seven (2001–2002) 28 November – Weirdsister College (2001) 26 December – Micawber (2001) Unknown – The Russian Bride (2001) Channel 4 2 January – The 1940s House (2001) 12 January – Get Your Kit Off (UK game show) (2001) 14 January – Phoenix Nights (2001–2002) 15 January – The Hoobs (2001–2003) 18 January – The West Wing (1999–2006) 20 January – Popworld (2001–2007) 22 January – As If (2001–2004) 17 February – Pelswick (2000–2002) 21 February – Metrosexuality (2001) 9 March – Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 4 2001–2010, Channel 5 2011–present) 21 March – Teachers (2001–2004) 3 April – Will & Grace (1998–2006) 3 June – Men Only (2001) 30 August – The Armando Iannucci Shows (2001) 10 September – The Six Wives of Henry VIII (2001) 25 September Extinct (2001) X-Fire (2001–2002) 26 September – Model Behaviour (2001–2002) 1 October – Lost (2001) 5 November – Swallow (2001) 13 November – It's a Girl Thing (2001) 26 November – Richard & Judy (2001–2008) 31 December – Smallville (2001–2011) Channel 5 12 January – The Mole (2001) 11 March – Touch the Truck (2001) 18 May – Greed (2001) 9 June – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015) Sky 22 April – Do or Die (2001) 19 September – Now You See Her (2001) 20 October – Yu-Gi-Oh! (2001–2006) Challenge TV 12 November – Stake Out (2001) Play UK 6 October – The Mitchell and Webb Situation (2001) E4 18 January – Banzai (2001–2003) S4C 7 January – Arachnid (2001) Cartoon Network UK 15 January – Mobile Suit Gundam Wing 5 February – Tenchi Muyo! 4 May – Home Movies (1999–2004) 4 May – Sheep in the Big City (2000–2002) 3 September – The Cramp Twins (2001–2005) 3 September – X-Men: Evolution (2000–2004) 23 November – Samurai Jack (2001–2004) Nickelodeon UK 8 January – As Told by Ginger (2000–2006) 30 April – Cardcaptors (2000–2002) 30 July – The Amanda Show (2001–2014) 1 October – Taina (2001–2002) 10 November – Pelswick (2000–2002) Disney Channel UK 4 June – Lloyd In Space (2001–2004) 3 September – Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004) Fox Kids UK 8 January – Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue (2000) 9 April – Jackie Chan Adventures (2001–2005) 3 September – Braceface (2001–2004) 3 September – Power Rangers: Time Force (2001) 3 November – Totally Spies! (2001–2008) Channels New channels DateChannel18 JanuaryE41 FebruaryThe Studio14 MarchWellbeing1 MayMTV Hits15 MaySmash Hits11 AugustITV Sport Channel5 OctoberLife TV5 NovemberUK Food Defunct channels List of former TV channels in the United Kingdom#2001 DateChannel17 MarchSceneOne31 MarchBBC Choice Northern IrelandBBC Choice ScotlandBBC Choice Wales1 MayMTV Extra27 JulyS22 September.tv1 DecemberTasteCFN31 DecemberWellbeing Rebranded channels DateOld NameNew Name11 AugustITVITV1 Television shows Changes of network affiliation Shows Moved From Moved To7 January – Lily Savage's Blankety BlankBBC OneITV130 July – Star TrekBBC TwoE4The PracticeITV1BBC One16 July – Home and AwayChannel 5Northern ExposureChannel 4ITV24 January – Sunset BeachChannel 5ITV1 ITV2Will & GraceSky OneChannel 4Malcolm In The MiddleBBC TwoJackie Chan AdventuresFox KidsBBC One Returning this year after a break of one year or longer 2 January – The Flower Pot Men (1952–1958, 2001–2002) 22 January – ITV News at Ten (1967–1999, 2001–2004, 2008–present) 5 March – Crossroads (1964–1988, 2001–2003) 31 August – Absolutely Fabulous (1992–1996, 2001–2004, 2011–2012) 25 December – Only Fools and Horses (1981–1996, 2001–2003, 2014) Continuing television shows 1920s BBC Wimbledon (1927–present) 1930s Trooping the Colour (1937–1939, 1946–2019, 2023–present) The Boat Race (1938–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present) 1950s Panorama (1953–present) What the Papers Say (1956–2008)What the Papers Say in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/media/gallery/2008/may/29/what.the.papers.say The Guardian 2 April 2022 29 May 2008 Captain Pugwash (1957–1975, 1997–2002) The Sky at Night (1957–present) Blue Peter (1958–present) Grandstand (1958–2007) 1960s Coronation Street (1960–present) Songs of Praise (1961–present) Top of the Pops (1964–2006) Match of the Day (1964–present) Call My Bluff (1965–2005) The Money Programme (1966–2010) 1970s Emmerdale (1972–present) Newsround (1972–present) Last of the Summer Wine (1973–2010) Wish You Were Here...? (1974–2003) Arena (1975–present) One Man and His Dog (1976–present) Grange Hill (1978–2008) Ski Sunday (1978–present) Blankety Blank (1979–1990, 1997–2002) Antiques Roadshow (1979–present) Question Time (1979–present) 1980s Children in Need (1980–present) Timewatch (1982–present) Brookside (1982–2003) Countdown (1982–present) James the Cat (1984–1992, 1998–2003) The Bill (1984–2010) Channel 4 Racing (1984–2016) Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (1984–present) EastEnders (1985–present) Comic Relief (1985–present) Casualty (1986–present) ChuckleVision (1987–2009) London's Burning (1988–2002) On the Record (1988–2002) Fifteen to One (1988–2003, 2013–2019) This Morning (1988–present) 1990s Stars in Their Eyes (1990–2006) Big Break (1991–2002) Heartbeat (1992–2010) 999 (1992–2003) The Big Breakfast (1992–2002) Breakfast with Frost (1993–2005) Wipeout (1994–2002) Animal Hospital (1994–2004) Room 101 (1994–2007, 2012–present) Time Team (1994–2013) The National Lottery Draws (1994–2017) Top of the Pops 2 (1994–present) Dalziel and Pascoe (1996–2007) Teletubbies (1997–2002, 2007–2009, 2012, 2015–present) Y Clwb Rygbi, Wales (1997–present) Dream Team (1997–2007) Family Affairs (1997–2005) Midsomer Murders (1997–present) Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1998–2014) Bob the Builder (1998–present) British Soap Awards (1999–2019, 2022–present Holby City (1999–2022)Holby City – an oral history by the show's stars and creators https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/holby-city/a35594857/holby-city-an-oral-history-by-the-shows-stars-and-creators/ Digital Spy 4 April 2022 29 March 2022 My Parents Are Aliens (1999–2006)Rodger James My Parents Are Aliens cast reunite after 17 years as fans left emotional https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/parents-aliens-cast-reunite-after-26543597 BirminghamLive 25 March 2023 en 23 March 2023 Small Potatoes (1999–2001) Tweenies (1999–2002) 2000s Doctors (2000–present) Big Brother (2000–2018) The Weakest Link (2000–2012, 2017–present) The People Versus (2000–2002) Time Gentlemen Please (2000–2002) At Home with the Braithwaites (2000–2003) Clocking Off (2000–2003) Ending this year It's a Knockout (1966–1982, 1999–2001) Words and Pictures (1970–2001, 2006–2007) Record Breakers (1972–2001) The original Top Gear (1977–2001, 2002–present) Right to Reply (1982–2001) Blockbusters (1983–1993, 1994–1995, 1997, 2000–2001, 2012, 2019–present) Surprise, Surprise (1984–2001, 2012–present) Central Weekend (1986–2001) Equinox (1986–2001) Wheel of Fortune (1988–2001) Dale's Supermarket Sweep (1993–2001, 2007) Live & Kicking (1993–2001) ZZZap! (1993–2001) Numbertime (1993–2001) Kavanagh QC (1995–2001) Ballykissangel (1996–2001) 100% (1997–2001) Teletubbies (1997–2001, 2007–2009, 2012, 2015–2018) Don't Try This at Home (1998–2001) The Moment of Truth (1998–2001) Motorway Life (1998–2001) Big Bad World (1999–2001) ITV Nightly News (1999–2001) See It Saw It (1999–2001) Small Potatoes (1999–2001) Castaway 2000 (2000–2001) Without Motive (2000–2001) So What Now? (2001) Extinct (2001) The original Shipwrecked (2000–2001, 2006–2009, 2011–2012, 2019) Births 24 February – Ramona Marquez, actresshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2753625/ Ramona Marquez Internet Movie Database 17 October 2010 15 March – Ellie Leach, actress 9 July – Maisie Smith, actress and singer 16 December – Sebastian Croft, actor Deaths Date Name Age Cinematic credibility11 JanuaryMichael Williams65actor (The Hanged Man, A Fine Romance)17 JanuaryRobert Robertson70actor (Taggart)1 FebruaryJack Milroy86Scottish comedian, one half of Francie and Josie4 FebruaryBarry Cockcroft68television documentary director and producerTony Steedman73actor (Dr Butterworth in Crossroads)8 FebruaryBrian Nissen73actor and television presenter9 FebruaryReginald Marsh74actor18 FebruaryClare Kelly78actress22 FebruaryChristopher Mitchell52actor (It Ain't Half Hot Mum)19 MarchNorman Mitchell82actor (Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, On the Buses, Beryl's Lot)20 MarchDoreen Gorsky88television producer21 MarchAnthony Steel80actor24 MarchMuriel Young77television presenter31 MarchEdward Jewesbury83actor1 AprilJean Anderson93actress (The Brothers, Tenko)10 AprilNyree Dawn Porter65actress (The Forsyte Saga)11 AprilGeorge Herseehttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/george-hersee-729043.html George Hersee Obituary The Independent 23 April 2001 15 May 2009 INM https://archive.today/20090519010107/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/george-hersee-729043.html 19 May 2009 dead London76BBC engineer who designed Test Card FHarry Secombe http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1273330.stm Tributes paid to Sir Harry Secombe BBC News 12 April 2001 15 May 200979singer, comedian and television presenter (Songs of Praise, Stars on Sunday, Highway)17 AprilTerry Scully68actor18 AprilTony Bartley82television executive28 AprilPaul Daneman75actor2 MayTed Rogers http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1309373.stm Entertainer Ted Rogers dies BBC News 2 May 2001 15 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20070124005108/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1309373.stm 24 January 2007 live65comedian and host of 3-2-19 MayLeslie Sands79actor (Cluff, The Saint, The Avengers, Z-Cars)19 MayJohn Warner77actor (Potter, Terry and June)22 MayJack Watling78actor (The Plane Makers, The Power Game, Pathfinders)20 JuneAngela Browne62actress (Ghost Squad, The Avengers, The Prisoner, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)27 JuneJoan Sims http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/1411839.stm Carry on actress Joan Sims dead BBC News 28 June 2001 24 April 200971actress (Till Death Us Do Part, Sykes, On the Up, As Time Goes By)2 JulyJack Gwillim91actor (Danger Man, The Saint, The Troubleshooters)5 JulyGeorge Ffitch72television presenter13 JulyEleanor Summerfield80actress (The World of Wooster, Lovejoy, Midsomer Murders)4 AugustJoseph Cooper88television presenter (Face the Music)6 AugustKenneth MacDonald50actor (It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Only Fools and Horses)Dorothy Tutin71actress (The Six Wives of Henry VIII)18 AugustTom Watson69actor25 AugustInigo Jackson68actor1 SeptemberBrian Moore69sports commentator and television presenter3 SeptemberJohn Chapman74television scriptwriter22 SeptemberGordon Reece71television producer and journalist27 SeptemberHelen Cherry85actress29 SeptemberJimmy O'Connor83television scriptwriter (The Wednesday Play and Play for Today)31 OctoberJenny Laird89actress (All Creatures Great and Small)13 NovemberPeggy Mount86actress (George and the Dragon)14 NovemberCharlotte Coleman https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/nov/19/guardianobituaries.filmnews Charlotte Coleman Obituary The Guardian Penny Valentine 19 November 2011 15 May 2009 London https://web.archive.org/web/20090517065512/http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2001/nov/19/guardianobituaries.filmnews 17 May 2009 live33actress (Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Worzel Gummidge)18 NovemberMalcolm McFee52actor (Please Sir!)24 NovemberRachel Gurney81actress (Upstairs, Downstairs)28 NovemberMichael Yates82television designer11 DecemberLynette Lithgow https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/lynette-lithgow-729592.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/lynette-lithgow-729592.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Lynette Lithgow Anthony Hayward Independent News Ltd The Independent London 18 December 2001 11 May 2010August 2021 medicmedic51newsreader and journalist20 DecemberEdward Evans87actor (The Grove Family, Coronation Street)26 DecemberNigel Hawthorne72actor (Yes, Prime Minister, Mapp and Lucia) See also 2001 in British music 2001 in British radio 2001 in the United Kingdom List of British films of 2001 References 30em External links List of 2001 British television series at IMDb 2001