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Give My Head Peace and The Blame Game not recommissioned by BBC

Barry O'ConnorBBC News NI
BBC Six people pose as characters towards the cameraBBC
Give My Head Peace has not been commissioned by the BBC for a new series

Comedy shows Give My Head Peace and The Blame Game have not been commissioned for new series, the BBC has confirmed.

It comes as the corporation attempts to save £500m over two years as it faces "significant financial pressures".

A BBC spokesperson said that while they "recognise the significant contribution" both programmes have made, the BBC is "facing real financial challenges at this time and will need to make some difficult decisions in order to manage them".

Sitcom Give My Head Peace first appeared on TV in 1995 while panel show The Blame Game broadcast its 23rd series last year.

Give My Head Peace starred the comedy and writing group the Hole in the Wall Gang with characters such as Da, Ma, Uncle Andy, Cal, Billy and Dympna.

The programme started with the pilot episode Two Ceasefires and a Wedding and ran from the late 1990s to 2007.

The show was then revived in 2016.

The Blame Game was hosted by Tim McGarry and featured panellists such as Colin Murphy, Diona Doherty, Neil Delamere and Jake O'Kane.

Writing on social media, Murphy thanked everyone who watched and worked on the show, adding that "nothing lasts forever". Delamere added they had a "great time over the last 20 years" and thanked people for watching the show.

'Times do change'

Local comedian Paddy McDonnell said it is "sad to see" the cuts.

"Times do change and things have to happen, it is just unfortunate that its two of those institutions being pulled from the TV and the airwaves," he told BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show.

A BBC spokesperson said: "We haven't commissioned new series of The Blame Game or Give My Head Peace at this stage.

"We recognise the significant contribution that both programmes have made to our local TV schedules over many years and the enjoyment that they've provided for BBC audiences.

"We are facing real financial challenges at this time and will need to make some difficult decisions in order to manage them, whilst also protecting the distinctiveness and impact of the service we provide."

Other shows across the BBC that have not been renewed include RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo.