BBC3 Says Goodbye - Here Are 9 TV Shows We Wouldn't Have Had Without It

Recent news that BBC3 is likely to be axed by the corporation’s executives has left fans - and many of the channel's own high profile stars - crying out for the decision to be reversed.

Celebs including Radio 1’s Greg James and comedian Jack Whitehall have already tweeted their support for the #SaveBBC3 campaign currently taking Twitter by storm.

With its focus on youth culture, surprise weddings and magnificent makeovers, BBC3 has gifted the world with television gold on numerous occasions. Here are nine of the best shows BBC3 has given us.

Jenny Frost narrates 'Snog, Marry, Avoid'

1. ‘Snog, Marry, Avoid’

Thick-skinned contestants - usually with entire bucket loads of fake tan furiously applied - allow strangers to judge their looks within the parameters of the classic game.

The heavily made-up individual is usually completely shocked to find the general public are more likely to snog or marry them in their made-under form, but who cares if it’s repetitive? Genuine life lessons are being taught here, you know…

2. ‘Sun, Sex And Suspicious Parents’

Another show which arrives at moral lessons in a roundabout fashion is ‘Sun, Sex And Suspicious Parents’.

What’s the best way for parents to teach their teenage kids that getting hammered and making out with strangers in Kavos is wrong? Spy on them, of course.

3. ‘Staying In With Greg And Russell’

Quite frankly, watching this show is the closest we’re ever going to get to spending an actual night in with Greg James and Russell Kane, so for the sake of my imaginary relationship with the Radio 1 presenter, this needs to stay on TV.

4. ‘Junior Paramedics’

Proving that BBC3 can do serious too, ‘Junior Paramedics’ follows a selection of medical staff at the start of their careers, following them as they try to cope with the ups and downs of a profession where the lives of strangers rely on their quick thinking and decision-making.

'Gavin & Stacey' scooped multiple awards

5. ‘Gavin & Stacey’

Before making its mark as one of the BBC’s biggest comedies, ‘Gavin & Stacey’ found its feet on the digital channel.

As well as giving the nation a firm lesson in geography (well, the locations of Barrie Island and Billericay at least), the show kickstarted the careers of stars including James Corden and Joanna Page.

6. ‘Torchwood’

The ‘Dr. Who’ spin-off, starring John Barrowman, is another show which was swiftly promoted to BBC1, reminding everyone that BBC3 is the perfect place to road test new and exciting formats before letting them loose in primetime slots.

7. ‘Him & Her’

Filmed almost exclusively in one bedsit flat, ‘Him & Her’ charted the relationship of Steve and Becky, played perfectly by Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani.

The show is often commended for its dry sense of humour, but let’s not forget that Becky also gifted us with the fringe wash.

Many of Matt and David's characters are instantly recognisable

8. ‘Little Britain’

Do you know anybody who can’t utter one of Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ many catchphrases on demand? No. Exactly.

9. ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’

If you’re pretending you don’t watch this then here’s the rundown: Perfectly happy couple is getting married so the BBC gives the groom £12,000 to plan the wedding - on the condition that his bride finds out nothing until the big day.

Naturally, the resulting wedding sometimes involves Las Vegas, sky-diving and blowing the budget on a stag do leaving the bridal party to enjoy a night out at a bowling alley. And sometimes also divorce. Seriously.

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