Keith Lemon has explained why ITV cancelled Celebrity Juice after 14 years on the air.
The surprise announcement came earlier this year, when the comedy character shared a statement to Twitter, writing: “After 14 years, 26 series, 300 eps Celeb Juice is concluding later this year with two farewell specials.
“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 statement was shared with a video showing the classic moments from the long-running show.
Lemon was questioned on the show’s end during an appearance on Good Morning Britain with Ed Balls and Susanna Reid on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Celebrity Juice specials later this year, Lemon said ITV ‘probably’ made the decision to cancel the show because he had ‘got too old’.
He explained: “I don’t know who the guests are anymore. I say, ‘who is that?’ They’re from TikTok. I don’t know who they are. I always forget the names.”
The final season, which aired its final episode on May 26, included celebrity guests Big Narstie, Rachel Riley, Joe Swash, Katherine Ryan, Aston Merrygold and more.
Lemon then touched on the two final specials, explaining: “One special will be a big party in the studio – very reminiscent of Juice and get old people back in.
“I don’t mean old people – more like All Stars. Unless they all say no and it’s just me crying into a bucket.
“Then a retrospective, where we’ll sit around a sofa – or just me on a sofa going ‘It’s over, what am i going to do’.”
Good Morning Britain host Susanna asked Lemon how he plans to spend his time once the show has come to an official end, to which he said he will be crafting more.
“I make loads of things and post them on Instagram,” he said. “Like movie props and things.”
Celebrity Juice first hit our screens in 2008 with Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby appearing as team captains.
The show originally was centred around the week's tabloid news, before it eventually evolved to include games and challenges.
Paddy McGuinness took over Fearne's place, followed by Mel B ahead of This Morning presenter Holly announcing she was leaving the show after ‘12 years of fantastic chaos’.
She released a statement saying: “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."
Several months after she quit, Emily Atack and Laura Whitmore were announced as the new captains.
Emily said at the time: “Every time I’ve been on Juice in the past I’ve had such a good time, and now I’m doing it with two of my best mates and I’m a ruddy team captain!!!”
