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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Phoebe Jobling

ITV Celebrity Juice axed after 14 years as Keith Lemon thanks viewers for 'longest, most fun party'

ITV's long-running show Celebrity Juice has been cancelled after 14 years on air. Host Leigh Francis, who plays his alter-ego Keith Lemon, confirmed the news to fans in a statement on Twitter.

The award-winning comedy panel show has ran for 26 series with 300 episodes featuring celebrity panellists and team captions including Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton, Gino D'Acampo, Paddy McGuinness and Emily Atack and Laura Whitmore as the most recent team captains.

Keith Lemon shared the news with devastated viewers on Wednesday alongside a reel of the show's best moments. The Twitter post read: "After 14 years, 26 series, 300 eps @CelebJuice is concluding later this year with two farewell specials.

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"Thank you so so much to everyone who watched, to the team captains, guests, crew and itv2. It was the longest most fun party! I had a wonderful time. Big love x."

The late-night entertainment show saw celebrity teams go head-to-head in a series of crazy games and challenges about current events and the latest celebrity gossip.

Since hearing the news that the show has been axed, viewers have shared their sadness on social media with some heartfelt tributes.

Celebrity Juice is ending after 14 years (ITV / Talkback Thames)

"The best tribute I can give @LeighFrancis and the #celebrityjuice team is that (before she passed away in 2019) my 90-odd year old Nan used to love the show! It’s something we’d talk about and laugh about every week," one Twitter user wrote.

Responding to Keith Lemon's tweet, one woman said: "Omg very sad to see this go, you have brought so much laughter to such a dull world for me. Wish you well in whatever you do next thank you to all the team on Celebrity Juice we will miss you."

Celebrity Juice first began in 2008 with Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton as team captains. Paddy McGuiness then took Fearne's spot after she quit with Mel B replacing him shortly after.

Holly Willoughby announced she was quitting the show in 2020 after what she described as "12 years of fantastic chaos."

In May 2020 she wrote: "Thank you @celebjuiceofficial for 12 years of fantastic chaos. I can’t quite believe what we’ve done and how quick that time has gone.

"Thank you to you all for watching, we’ve always had the loudest and best audiences."

Celebrity Juice will end later this year with two farewell specials.

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