The series set right here in the toon was a staple for teen drama. The show was responsible for launching a number of careers, including top duo Ant & Dec (you can decide if that’s a good thing or not), as well as featuring many hard hitting storylines including Homophobia, Drug Addiction, Child Abuse and even paint-balling incidents.
Byker Grove kick started on a November tea time in 1989 on CBBC and was a welcomed anti-dote to the teen am-dram queens that had been clogging up the channel in Grange Hill, which by 1989 was starting to feel dated, stale and predictable.
Let’s also not forget that this was one of the first dramas aimed at teens in the north east. It didn’t have teenagers smothered by the backdrop of a metropolitan city, dealing with ‘first world problems’ like which City would they move to for their fashion design internship or should they accept that filming contract in Dubai.
Let’s also not forget that this was one of the first dramas aimed at teens in the north east. It didn’t have teenagers smothered by the backdrop of a metropolitan city.
The kids in Byker Grove were gritty, Shameless and cringe but albeit relatable and this created gritty, shameless and cringe smash hit moments on the show.
For instance, take PJ (Ant McPartlin) getting blinded by paint by the rival gang from Denton Burn, whilst his friend Duncan (Declan Donnelly) hurled ‘He cannae see man’.
Then came the grove matrix, before the funny dance moves and get lyrics of ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’, came the very first glimpse of the Geordie duo’s musical talent when they became part of the Grove Matrix, performing Tonight I’m Free which peaked at Number 62 in the charts- the Beatles that should have been, eh?
There were heartfelt moments on the show too, like Noddy and Gary’s gay kiss in the cinema and Flora’s tragic death from a Brain Tumour both of which made headlines at the time.
However despite the ground breaking and at times ‘interesting’ stories, the show was axed in 2006, after 17 years and 344 Episodes. An insult really, as the show was not suffering from a decline ratings nor popularity. But as we know the BBC do what the BBC want to do.
So, with rumours circulating about a full reboot of the show, is this something that should go ahead? I say yes as long as it’s as cheeky and as belter as it was before.
