Legendary 90s kids show coming to streaming for first time ever – after launching the careers of TV's biggest stars
The popular show made multiple cast members
4
Byker Grove is coming to streaming for the first time
Credit: ITV/STV
4
The popular kids drama launched Ant & Dec's careers
Credit: Alamy
4
Jill Halfpenny featured on Byker Grove early in her career
Credit: Rex Features
Classic episodes of Byker Grove will be available to stream for free on STV Player and ITVX.
Ant & Dec featured prominently in the series, playing best friends P.J. and Duncan.
The streaming services have partnered with Ant & Dec's production company Mitre Studios - which owns the rights to Byker Grove - in order to relaunch the series.
Viewers across the UK can stream it now on STV Player and on
ITVX
from later this year.
Read more on kids' shows
Ant & Dec's characters, PJ & Duncan were among the most popular and enjoyed chart success with eight Top 20 singles - including Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Having launched on BBC One in 1989, Byker Grove fast became an after-school viewing staple for
teenagers
.
The series takes place in Byker, Newcastle - while following the lives of young people at local youth club, the Grove.
During its run, Byker Grove tackled social issues such as abortion, drug addiction and homophobia.
Most read in News TV
In 1994, it also featured the first gay kiss on UK children's TV - when character Noddy Fishwick kissed his friend Gary Hendrix.
Past cast members also include Jill Halfpenny, who featured from 1989 to 1992.
Watch as Ant and Dec bring back their classic 90s Byker Grove roles - live on I'm A Celeb
In addition,
Byker Grove follows another legendary British drama, Brookside onto STV Player.
The streaming service
Richard Williams
, STV's Managing Director, Audience: Video &
Technology
, said: 'Just when you thought the 90s revival might have been slowing down, we've only gone and brought back one of the seminal TV shows of the decade.
'Byker Grove was an integral part of so many British childhoods and we're delighted that those original viewers – now of a slightly more mature vintage – can relive all the nostalgic action on STV Player.
Ant and Dec's incredible career
ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990.
The two went on to have chart success under their characters' names - including their 1994 No1 smash hit
They haven't looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV.
Here's a rundown of some of their most popular shows - plus one "dud".
The Ant & Dec Show - this late afternoon kids' entertainment series ran from 1995-1996 for 17 episodes
Friends Like These - the Geordie pair hopped channels again, landing on BBC One to present this game show from 1999 until 2001
I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - the reality TV show began in 2002, with Dec presenting all 23 seasons, even one
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway - this show also began in 2002, but the lads said the
PokerFace - Ant and Dec created this game show which aired from 2006-2007. with a top prize of £1million.
Britain's Got Talent - the TV series began in 2007 with the pair's backstage antics loved by fans. They also took part in silly competitions on
Red Or Black - the show only aired for
Ant & Dec's Limitless Win - the pair had
"And if any Gen Z viewers want to find out who really started the baggy trousers trend, look no further than Byker Grove!'
Craig Morris, Managing Editor,
ITV
Channels &
ITVX
, said: 'We are so excited to bring this iconic coming-of-age series to
ITVX
, marking the first TV appearances of two
ITV
stalwarts.
"Relive all the great moments with us later this year.'
Ed Sleeman, MD at Mitre Studios added: 'We're delighted to be teaming up with
ITVX
and STV Player to give a new generation of viewers the opportunity to watch this iconic series from the start and to see where it all began for Ant & Dec.'
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The duo met playing fictional friends PJ and Duncan
Credit: Rex
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