Where are the stars of CITV now? As the channel closes after 40 years – how it spawned some of TV’s biggest stars, while others have sought more humble career paths
CITV is set to close its doors on Friday after four decades on the airwaves, having birthed an slew of legendary children’s shows that put its US rivals to shame.
The brand launched back in 1983 as an afternoon segment on ITV, before being moved to its own channel in 2006.
During its four-decade run, CITV has kickstarted the careers of some of the biggest names in British TV, with some going onto earn millions, while others have opted to pursue more humble career paths.
The brand is closing so ITV can move its entire slate of children’s programming to its streaming platform ITVX, with a dedicated destination called ITVX Kids, which launched in July.
As CITV fans prepare to bid an emotional farewell to the legendary brand, MailOnline sees hows some of its biggest names have fared…
Holly Willoughby
Daytime icon! Holly Willoughby launched her TV presenting career as the host of Ministry Of Mayhem, and is now one of British TV’s biggest presenters (right hosting This Morning)
Thanks to her lucrative stint hosting This Morning, Holly has proven to be one of CITV’s biggest success stories, after kickstarting her career as the host of Saturday Morning favourite Ministry of Mayhem.
The show was known for gunging its guests and crazy games, and in recent many classic clips of Holly’s kids TV days have resurfaced, including the moment she dressed up as a French maid.
Since the show ended in 2006, Holly has hosted Dancing On Ice, before landing the role of This Morning host in 2009.
She was also a panellist on the chaotic quiz Celebrity Juice, and appeared on series including Surprise Surprise and Play To The Whistle.
For 14 years she co-hosted This Morning with longtime friend Phillip Schofield, before he stepped down from ITV earlier this year following his affair scandal.
It’s seen been reported that Holly will front This Morning with a rotation of co-hosts, and has cashed in with a bumper six figure salary.
Ant and Dec
Famous! Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly launched their career into the stratosphere as the hosts of wild weekend favourite SMTV Live
Cashing in! They’re now two of ITV’s biggest stars, fronting shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! and Britain’s Got Talent
While Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly had been known to viewers through their stint on Byker Grove, the pair launched their career into the stratosphere as the hosts of wild weekend favourite SMTV Live with Cat Deeley.
The show featured a myriad of famous sketches and segments including Eat My Goal and Wonky Donkey.
One of the show’s most legendary moments came during their Friends spoof Chums, with Dec set to ‘marry’ Cat in front of a star-studded audience that included big names such as Amanda Holden, Denise Van Outen and Frank Skinner.
During their final months on the show, the pair began hosting blockbuster talent show Pop Idol, and went onto front their own series Saturday Night Takeaway.
Ant and Dec are still two of the UK’s biggest presenters over 20 years after their SMTV stint, hosting Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
The duo’s career was thrown into crisis in 2018 following Ant’s drink-drive arrest, but they’ve bounced back and are more in demand than ever
They also reunited with SMTV co-host Cat Deeley in 2021 for an iconic Chums skit in honour of the show’s 20th Anniversary.
Cat Deeley
Ageless: Cat Deeley launched her career as a co-host of SMTV: Live before branching across the pond to the US to present So You Think You Can Dance?
As the glamorous blonde between bickering pals Ant and Dec, Cat launched her career as a host of SMTV: Live and its music show CD:UK.
She remained on the show for several months after the duo’s exit in 2001, before going onto present the BBC series Fame Academy, and Stars In Their Eyes.
In 2006, Cat kickstarted her US career as the host of So You Think You Can Dance? and continued to front the show until its last series in 2022.
After relocating across the pond with her husband Patrick Kielty, Cat became one of the US’ top TV presenters, but returned to the UK in 2020 to guest host Lorraine.
In 2017 she delighted viewers by reuniting with Ant and Dec as the sinister villain Maskface on Saturday Night Takeaway, before joining the pair at their live finale in Disneyworld Florida.
Michael Underwood
Branching out: Michael was the third host of CITV favourite Jungle Run from 2003 to 2006, but in 2021 revealed he’s now a primary school teacher after his TV work dried up
Michael was the third host of CITV favourite Jungle Run from 2003 to 2006, guiding its young contestants through challenges to win prizes.
He also hosted Ministry of Mayhem with Holly and Stephen Mulhern before going onto land a job as the Entertainment Correspondant on GMTV.
Despite various stints on shows such as Good Morning Britain, Let Me Entertain You and Surprise Surprise, in recent years Michael has stepped away from the spotlight.
In March 2021 he revealed he now works as a primary school teacher, after his TV work dried up.
He said: ‘The phone stopped ringing, it’s just not a nice place to be in.’
Michael, who has been married to Angellica Bell for more than 10 years, told The Mirror about his career change and what led him to teaching.
Describing the move, he said: ‘I needed to make a decision, I thought you know what I’ve got my teaching degree, I’ve got 20 years in broadcasting behind me, maybe I can take that skill set and put it to good use.
‘Help build children’s confidence, help them with their oracy, their presenting skills, that’s when I thought: “Yeah, let’s grab the bull by the horns and maybe take a step out into a different career”.’
Stephen Mulhern
Famous: Stephen Mulhern launched his career on CITV with shows including Finger Tips and Ministry Of Mayhem, and now appears on Saturday Night Takeaway and In For A Penny
Stephen launched his career on CITV as one of the main presenters of its afternoon block of programming.
He starred on Finger Tips and Tricky TV before going onto front Ministry Of Mayhem with Holly.
In later years he’s moved into primetime as the host of shows including Britain’s Got More Talent and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
He even launched his Takeaway segment In For A Penny into its own series.
Stephen is now reportedly set to take over from Phillip Schofield as the new host of Dancing On Ice alongside Holly, reuniting the pair nearly two decades after their children’s TV origins.
Neil Buchanan
Blast from the past! After fronting CITV’s Art Attack, host Neil Buchanan has swapped his paintbrush for a guitar to front the heavy metal rock band Marseille
Neil was a CITV fixture as the host of one of its longest-running shows, Art Attack, which hit the network in 1990 and aired for 17 years.
His skills with art were so renowned, he was even the subject of a conspiracy theory from users believing he was the mysterious artist Banksy.
But in later years, Neil has swapped his paint brushes for a guitar to perform with his heavy metal rock band Marseille.
As well as rocking out on stage Neil continues paints and draws professionally and showcases his impressive talents online.
The TV personality, who is married to wife Nicola, was actually a member of his band behind the scenes after forming it in Liverpool in 1976.
They released four albums and six singles before going their separate ways ahead of Neil’s Art Attack career, with the group reforming in 2009.
Tony Gardner
Throwback: Tony Gardner was the star of CITV favourite My Parents Are Aliens (left), and in recent years has continued to act on the TV and stage (right in Death In Paradise)
Tony was the star of CITV favourite My Parents Are Aliens as the space-based foster father Brian Johnson, and also acted as a writer on the show.
Before delving into acting, he’d worked as a physician at Guy’s Hospital before becoming a general practitioner
He has continued to star in a slew of series, including Last Tango In Halifax, Fresh Meat and Not Going Out, as well as roles on the stage.
In March 2023, star Tony also revealed the cast had reunited after 17 years to watch his performance in Accidental Death of an Anarchist at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, London.
Joining them was Charlotte Francis, who played Lucy Barker and Olisa Odele, who took on the role of CJ.
Stephanie Fearon, who joined the show as replacement for the character Harriet, also attended alongside Jordan Maxwell, who played Frankie Perkins.
Gareth Jones
Throwback: Gareth Jones was the star of CITV favourite HOW 2 alongside Fred Dineage, but has since stepped away from TV and now hosts a car podcast
Gareth was the star of CITV favourite HOW 2 alongside Fred Dineage, and similar show The Big Bang, but in recent years has stepped away from TV.
Instead he hosts the car podcast Gareth Jones on Speed, which has featured big motor stars such as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.
He also made a guest appearance on Celebrity Pointless, and starred as Tommy Cooper’s manager Miff Ferrie in the touring stage production The Tommy Cooper Show.
Arthur Darvill
Vintage: One of CITV’s less-known stars, Arthur began his career hosting the afternoon continuity segments (left), and has since starred in Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Grace (right)
One of CITV’s less-known stars, Arthur began his career under his first name Tom and hosted the afternoon continuity segments.
For several years he moved into stage work before joining the cast of Doctor Who in 2010 as the Eleventh Doctor’s companion Rory Williams, and the ITV mega-hit drama Broadchurch in 2013.
He’s gone onto star in the musicals Once and Treasure Island and the West End revival of Oklahoma earlier this year.
Continuing the sci-fi trend, Arthur also starred as Rip Hunter in the US series Legends Of Tomorrow.
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