BBC axes Live at the Apollo after 22 years among other shows in £500,000,000 cull

Live at the Apollo has been axed in a BBC cull (Picture: BBC)

The BBC has scrapped iconic comedy show Live at the Apollo as well as Celebrity Mastermind and Blankety Blank in a bid to save £500 million over the next few years.

The stand-up show helped launch the careers of several major British comedians, including the likes of Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Mo Gilligan and Katherine Ryan, since it started airing in September 2004.

The 22-year-old comedy institution won’t immediately vanish from screens, with another series yet to air. Similarly, Celebrity Mastermind has run for 19 seasons, beginning ...