ITV Respond To Claims Classic Shows Including 'Surprise Surprise' And 'Family Fortunes' Are To Be Axed

ITV have played down reports that a raft of classic shows including 'Surprise Surprise' and 'Family Fortunes' are to be cancelled. 

The Mirror has reported that whole host of retro programmes will be dropped from the schedule, after new channel bosses were tasked with refreshing the channel. 

Shu Greene, Peter Davey and Sue Murphy are said to be launching new quizzes, game shows and panel shows, instead of bringing back classics like 'The Cube', 'Through The Keyhole' and 'Catchphrase'. 

New series of Keith Lemon's 'Through The Keyhole' and Stephen Mulhern's 'Catchphrase' are already in production, and will air on ITV later this year, but after that, it's been suggested it could be curtains for them too. 

It's already known that Holly Willoughby's incarnation of 'Surprise Surprise', Vernon Kay's 'Catchphrase' and Phillip Schofield's 'The Cube' will not return to screens this year.

A source told the paper: “By 2018 it’s unlikely that any of these formats from yesteryear will still be on the screen.

“It’s time to try out new stuff and everyone is very excited about what’s in the pipeline.”

However, an ITV spokesperson said:  “It’s pure speculation to suggest that they may not return.”

The Mirror also claimed it is highly likely the hosts of the retro shows will front some of the new ones, as they will remain in the "ITV family". 

Holly Willoughby has already begun working on a new dating show called 'Meet The Parents'. 

She recently said of the show: “We all know how embarrassing parents can be and nobody knows you better than they do. I can’t wait to hear what humiliating secrets they’ll be revealing and see who will regret leaving their love life in the hands of their parents.”

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