Crime & Safety
Sadness as ITV shuts down CITV for good after 42 years
The channel first launched in 1980 under the name Watch IT before being rebranded as Children’s ITV and later shortened to CITV.
Known for hit shows Art Attack, Fraggle Rock, and Tots TV, the channel once brought in millions of viewers.
But on the morning of Friday, April 10, CITV officially ended its time on TV.
ITV shuts down CITV
In 2006, its late-afternoon slot on ITV1 was axed as it got its own channel on Freeview, but was still available on weekend mornings on ITV channels.
CITV Freeview was later shut down and replaced by the streaming service ITVX Kids Hub on ITVX in 2023, with the weekend showings moving to ITV2.
However, on April 10, the CITV block on ITV2 ended for good, cementing the closure of the channel.
The last moments were marked with the credits of the show, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! followed by several adverts before the final logo clip of CITV was shown.
the last moments of the CITV block (april 10, 2026) pic.twitter.com/dN85NC5CAf
— 🎲 saiko (@saikodice18) April 10, 2026
Those who grew up watching CITV reacted to the channel’s closure on X, as one viewer wrote: “Can’t believe CITV has ended… I remember watching a lot of children’s TV on CITV. “
Another person said, “After 42 years #CITV has officially ended, marking the end of an era for Children’s TV as we know it.”
A third viewer wrote: “I absolutely loved CITV back in the day. Thank you for many years of fun, laughter and entertainment.”
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It was previously claimed by X account, Media Central UK, that CITV would be ending its time on TV for good, sharing: “In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April.
“This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that has been around for 42 years.
“Farewell CITV, this time for real.”
What was your favourite show on CITV? Let us know in the comments below.
Crime & Safety
Clarkson’s Farm show boss speaks frankly on show’s future
The popular documentary first landed on screens back in 2021, showcasing Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.
With four series now to date and a fifth expected to be released next month, demand for the farming programme is high among fans.
Diddly Squat is the core focus of the show, with farmhand Kaleb Cooper and Mr Clarkson’s girlfriend Lisa Hogan, among the faces featured throughout its run.
READ MORE: Oxford’s Cowley Road Carnival could return this year
Mr Clarkson’s acquisition of The Windmill pub in Asthall, now renamed The Farmer’s Dog following its 2024 opening, also featured in the most recent season.
Producer Andy Wilman, Mr Clarkson’s long-standing collaborator, said according to The Express: “You’ve got to remember this is Jeremy’s show, it’s not like mine and his or his and Richard’s, it’s his baby and if at the end of a series, he can think of something he wants to do for another series, then he’ll do it.
“You can’t have that thing where you have done one series too many and people say, ‘that’s b******* now, it’s a busted flush. So you have to discipline yourself to say, ‘we end this now while we still have an audience.’
“Every series we have is a bonus and we have to treat it like the Grand Tour, that every series we have is a bonus – and each time we’re thinking we’re in uncharted territory with the farming show. It’s the most joyous thing to edit.”
Crime & Safety
The Inbetweeners returning to screens after 16 years
The coming-of-age sitcom, starring Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison, ended in 2010 but was followed by two spin-off films in 2011 and 2014.
Now it’s been reported that streaming giant Netflix has plans to relaunch The Inbetweeners in a multi-million-pound movie deal.
According to The Sun, the deal would see the new movie air on Netflix next year.
The Inbetweeners ‘to return’ to screens with Netflix movie
According to an insider, The Sun reports: “Inbetweeners fans will be thrilled and relieved because when talk of a reboot emerged last year, there were fears it might not turn out to be a telly project.
“But this deal will mean the comedy will be back on our television screens for the first time in 16 years, even though it won’t in its original home on Channel 4.”
Adding: “Netflix have been keen to make the project happen partly because it’s enjoyed a bit of a renaissance since old episodes aired on the streaming service and introduced a whole new generation to the show.
“Now The Inbetweeners is set to go international, with the streaming service taking the comedy to households around the globe.
“The deal is on the cusp of being fully rubber stamped, with discussions still happening about production timelines, storylines and cast.”
Previously star of the show, Joe Thomas, revealed that the creators of The Inbetweeners, Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, were “writing something” new.
Speaking at The Comedy Rooms, Thomas, who played Simon Cooper in the series, said: “What has happened is that the people who wrote The Inbetweeners a while ago sold the rights to a larger entity, and they recently bought them back so they can make some more.
“I’m really excited. I don’t know what they’re doing.
“I just know they’re writing something, and I would really love to do it. That’s pretty much it.
“I hope there’s more because I’ve not got that much else to do. I do like The Inbetweeners as well.”
Fans last saw the cast together in the 2019 special The Inbetweeners: Fwends Reunited.
Are you excited for the potential return of The Inbetweeners? Let us know in the comments.
Crime & Safety
Ofsted condemns ex-childminder guilty of touching girl
Philip Foster, of Green Road, Headington, was recently on trial at Oxford Crown Court.
After he was found guilty of inciting a female child to engage in sexual activity, an Ofsted spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with those affected by Philip Foster’s horrific crime.
“It is appalling to hear of any child being harmed by an individual who was meant to keep them safe. We have worked with the police to support their investigation and the judicial process.
“The vast majority of registered childcare in England is safe and of a high quality. However, when significant concerns are raised with us about a childcare provider, we will use our regulatory powers to take action.”
READ MORE: Banbury man asked for images from ’13-year-old’ girl
The 49-year-old was charged with one count of inciting a female child to engage in sexual activity between August 1 2022 and December 21 2023.
He was also charged with rape of a female child during the same time period.
Foster pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The court heard that Foster was working for a childminder’s at the time of the offence.
On Tuesday, April 7, a jury found him guilty of inciting a female child to engage in sexual activity. It could not reach a verdict on the charge of rape.
Foster was remanded into custody ahead of the next hearing on Tuesday, April 14, when the prosecution will decide if it wants to pursue a retrial on the charge of rape.
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