Keith Lemon's panel show winds up after 26 series

Celebrity Juice is coming to an end after 26 series and 14 years.

Fronted by Leigh Francis’s brash alter-ego Keith Lemon, the panel show has been a staple of ITV2’s schedules since 2008, and has won Bafta and  National Television Awards.

The show will conclude after almost 300 episodes with two farewell specials later this year.

Speaking in character, Lemon said: ‘I remember doing the first episode thinking wow that was fun! In the V/O in opening titles I said it was the best telly show on telly.

‘Whatever you thought of it, it was definitely the best fun making it. An amazing team, and amazing guests, but all good things must come to an end.

‘I’ll miss it, and everyone so much, but on to the next chapter and I look forward to going out in style on the specials! All t’ best and good luck with ya business!’

He will continue to be a face of the broadcaster, with a third episode of  ShoppingWith Keith Lemon returning later this year.

ITV2 controller Paul Mortimer said: ‘Celebrity Juice and Keith have become firm favourites in the ITV2 schedule over the years, with Keith’s no-holds-barred humour and outrageous antics redefining the comedy panel show experience.

‘It’s safe to say Celebrity Juice certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry, and we’d like to thank all of the team at [programme-makers] Talkback, and of course Keith and all of our team captains over the years for making Juice the infectious TV hit it’s become." 

Jonno Richards, managing director of Talkback, added: ‘We’ll forever miss the madness and mayhem but look forward to giving Juice the send-off it deserves’

The show started with team captains Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton, with Rufus Hound a regular panellist until 2012, when he quit after   banter with celebrity cleaner Kim Woodburn ‘spiralled out of control’ – and he felt producers didn’t back him. He later told Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre podcast: ‘They had this sense of, I should be grateful of being on this big hit show, but what they never understood was, the thing I set out in comedy wasn't about being on a show like Celebrity Juice.’

Other team captains and regulars over the year have included  Emily Atack,  Laura Whitmore, Gino D’Acampo, Mel B, Paddy McGuinness, Kelly Brook, Chris Ramsey, Maya Jama and Stacey Solomon. 

Published: 29 Jun 2022