settled into the role. Deeley left the show in 2002 to focus on presenting BBC talent show Fame Academy, leaving SMTV with none of its original presenters. For the remainder of the programme, it was hosted by a string of other people, including Steps members Ian "H" Watkins and Claire Richards, Big Brother winner Brian Dowling, Tess Daly all who presented from 2002 until all 4 eventually left by 2003. Comedian Des Clarke, New Zealand actress Shavaughn Ruakere and magician Stephen Mulhern presented the show for its final run when it was renamed SMTV:Gold in which it focused on showing highlights of the best bits of the past 5 years of the show, mainly due to declining ratings since the departure of the original presenters. Writers and producers The first month of the show was produced by former Top of the Pops producer Ric Blaxill. He was replaced by Steve Pinhay, while Phil Mount was brought in as producer of CD:UK. From 1999 until 2003, SMTV Live was produced by David Staite. In its first year the show was written by Richard Preddy and Gary Howe as well as Dean Wilkinson who stayed with it until the end. In September 1999, Ben Ward and Gez Foster were brought in from rival BBC show, Live & Kicking, to work on semi-scripted features including 'Chums'. After a steady erosion of Live & Kickings initial popularity, SMTV overtook them in the ratings in October 1999 and never looked back. Multi award-winning writer Dean Wilkinson was with the show throughout most of its run with Blaze Television's director of programmes Conor McAnally as its executive producer. SMTV Gold Falling viewing figures during 2003 led to the programme's axing at the end of the year. The programme marked the end of its five-year run with a series of SMTV Gold specials featuring highlights from the show and cartoons, presented by Stephen Mulhern and Des Clarke with different celebrity co-hosts each week. The Gold series ended on 20 December 2003 with the very last SMTV Live programme airing on Saturday 27 December 2003, recorded at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. Cancellation and final episode In August 2003, after two years of declining ratings following the departure of Ant & Dec, ITV announced the cancellation of SMTV Live, to be replaced by an as-yet untitled programme featuring "games, sketches, music and acquired programming, with increased interactive elements."