Bob Mortimer breaks the news on Twitter

The BBC has cancelled Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer’s panel Shooting Stars.

Mortimer announced the news on Twitter, telling his 85,000 followers: ‘BBC have just cancelled Shooting Stars’ – with no further explanation.

The show, now in its eighth series, first began in 1995 and has run for more than 70 episodes, although with two long gaps: first for five and then six years.

However, ratings had been on the slide, with the last three series averaging 2.1million, 1.7million and 1.5million respecively.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “In future there will be less space on BBC2 for comedy/entertainment panel shows so sadly Shooting Stars won’t be returning.  We’d like to thank Vic and Bob for everything they’ve brought to the channel over the years.”

Executive producer Lisa Clark told trade magazine Broadcast the team received the unexpected news in a phone call. ‘We are having a think about what to do next,’ she said.

Published: 15 Nov 2011