2010 in British television
Introduction This is a list of events that took place in 2010 related to British television.
Events ===January===Date Event1 JanuaryDavid Tennant makes his final regular appearance as the Tenth Doctor in the second part of the ''Doctor Who'' festive special "The End of Time", the final episode to be written by Russell T Davies, until 2023.The episode also sees the debut of the Eleventh Doctor played by Matt Smith and was watched by 10.4 million viewers.3 JanuaryCelebrity Big Brother returns for its final series on Channel 4.5 JanuaryFilming of ''Coronation Street'' and ''Emmerdale'' are halted because of heavy snowfall.7 JanuaryJonathan Ross announces he will leave the BBC when his contract expires in July.20 JanuaryITV broadcasts the postponed 2009 National Television Awards. The venue was also switched from the Royal Albert Hall to The O2 Arena and was watched by 7.4 million viewers – a 30% share of the audience.21 JanuaryThe rapper and former ''Celebrity Big Brother'' contestant Lady Sovereign is scheduled to appear on BBC One's political magazine programme, ''This Week'' to discuss the laws regarding self-defence for householders. She is shown backstage early in the show, waving to camera in anticipation of her appearance, but has disappeared by the time the segment begins. Presenter Andrew Neil apologises to viewers, explaining she has "done a runner" and instead discussed the topic with regular contributors Michael Portillo and Diane Abbott. In a subsequent interview with ''The Guardian''s Rich Pelley, the rapper says she had a panic attack. "My hands went stiff and I started hyperventilating. I didn't want to do it hours before but I went anyway, then I just changed my mind at the last minute, I guess. "CBeebies aired the last re-run of series 3 & 4 of Balamory, due to rights issues. Re-runs of the first 2 series continued until 2016.25 JanuaryLong running children's television series and giant children's favourite ''Thomas and Friends'' is back on Channel 5 with a brand new series brought to life with fully CGI animation by Vancouver-based animation studio Nitrogen Studios.28 JanuaryRoyal Mail boss Adam Crozier is appointed as ITV plc's new chief executive.29 JanuaryWhile giving evidence to the Iraq Inquiry, former Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses the interview he gave to Fern Britton in December, telling the hearing it was a mistake to say he would have got rid of Saddam Hussein regardless of whether or not the Iraqi leader had weapons of mass destruction. The inquiry is also told the interview had been recorded in July 2009, some months before the hearing was convened.Cage fighter Alex Reid wins the seventh series of Celebrity Big Brother, the final one to air on Channel 4.31 JanuaryBSkyB becomes the first broadcaster in the world to show a live sports event in 3D when Sky Sports screens a football match between Manchester United and Arsenal to a public audience in several selected pubs.JanuaryCoverage of proceedings from the National Assembly for Wales are moved from S4C2 to the new BBC Democracy Live website.===February===Date Event5 FebruaryChannel 5 airs Episode 5000 of ''Home and Away''.9 February''Supernanny'' presenter Jo Frost returns to Channel 4 with a new series, ''Jo Frost Extreme Parental Guidance''. Soap bosses confirm that Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace will reprise their roles as Alfie and Kat Moon in  ''EastEnders'', having last been seen on screen together in 2005.10 February – 10 MarchAnalogue is switched off in the Blaenplwyf area10 FebruaryChannel 4's deal with Warner Brothers International Television to show episodes of ''Friends'' on Channel 4 and E4 will end from Autumn 2011 meaning the series will disappear from the network's schedules.12 FebruaryThe events of the 2010 Winter Olympics start broadcasting worldwide. 13 FebruaryCharlie Bruce wins series one of ''So You Think You Can Dance''.15 FebruaryFiona Armstrong and Julia Somerville join the BBC News Channel as regular presenters. They will be joined by Zeinab Badawi and Carole Walker as the BBC seeks to fight accusations that it has an ageist policy.On an edition of the BBC's regional ''Inside Out'' programme, broadcaster Ray Gosling confesses to killing a former lover who had AIDS He is arrested on suspicion of murder by Nottinghamshire Police two days later. The confession was later deemed to have been false. Gosling was charged with wasting police time, and given a 90-day suspended sentence at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 14 September.19 FebruaryBBC One soap ''EastEnders'' celebrates its 25th anniversary with a live episode. The episode, watched by 16.6 million viewers sees the culmination of the storyline concerning who killed the character Archie Mitchell (played by Larry Lamb), revealing that the deed was done by Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).24 February''News at Ten'' presenter Julie Etchingham is named as Presenter of the Year at the Royal Television Society Awards, the first woman to win the accolade.28 FebruaryThe events of the 2010 Winter Olympics end broadcasting worldwide. ===March===Date Event3 MarchITV announces a pre-tax profit of £25m for 2009, compared with a loss of £2.7bn in 2008.3 – 31 MarchAnalogue is switched off in the Wenvoe area.4 MarchPenny Smith announces she is to leave GMTV after 17 years to pursue other projects.Carol Vorderman appears as a panellist on BBC One's ''Question Time''. Her performance is subsequently described by the ''New Statesman''s James Macintyre as "one of the worst by any panel member I have ever seen" because of her "clichéd, shrill, pub-boring, parochial approach" and because "she trotted out sluggish conventional wisdom at every turn".13 MarchITV announces that ''This Morning'' will air seven days a week, with two new one-hour shows being broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday 20 March. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will present the extra shows.18 MarchA debate on ''The Alan Titchmarsh Show'' in which the actress Julie Peasgood emphasises the negative effects of violent video games attracts criticism due to her contribution to the 2000 release ''Martian Gothic: Unification'', and because her arguments were based on a single unfavourable report on the subject.24 March – 7 AprilAnalogue is switched off in the Mendip area.26 MarchPrimary school programming is shown during the day on BBC Two for the final time. From next term, primary schools broadcasts become part of the overnight ''BBC Learning Zone'' with series shown as a back-to-back set rather than over several weeks. ''Doctors'' celebrates its 10th anniversary.ITV announced its intention to cancel its long running police drama ''The Bill'' from autumn 2010, saying that the decision was made as it reflects the "changing tastes" of viewers.Channel 4 quiz show ''Countdown'' celebrates its 5000th edition with a letter of congratulations from The Queen.28 MarchGray O'Brien begins filming new scenes as ''Coronation Street'' villain Tony Gordon, who will break out of prison brandishing a gun after faking a heart attack.Actress Hayley Tamaddon and skating partner Daniel Whiston win the fifth series of ''Dancing on Ice''.29 MarchClaudia Winkleman is confirmed as Jonathan Ross's replacement as host of Film 2010 when Ross leaves the show later in the year.The financial debate, the first of the 2010 election debates between Chancellor Alistair Darling, shadow Chancellor George Osborne and Lib Dem financial affairs spokesman Vince Cable is held on Channel 4.31 MarchThe last analogue television services are switched off in Wales, making it the first part of the UK to have a fully digital service.S4C begins broadcasting solely in Welsh.BSkyB is told by the broadcasting regulator Ofcom that it must cut the price it charges rival cable, terrestrial and internet broadcasters to show its premium sports channels. Sky says that it will appeal against the ruling.===April===Date Event3 April''Doctor Who'' begins a new season (technically its 31st) with new leading actor Matt Smith. The first episode is watched by 8.4 million viewers.5 AprilEmmanuel College, Cambridge wins the 2009–10 series of ''University Challenge'', beating St John's College, Oxford 315–100.7 AprilDhruv Baker wins the 2010 series of ''MasterChef''.9 AprilLong-running ''Coronation Street'' actor Bill Tarmey quits the soap after 31 years playing Jack Duckworth.10 AprilITV airs the British terrestrial television premiere of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix''; the film is watched by 5.726 million viewers (25.7% of the audience share).11 April''Coronation Street'' begins airing its first lesbian storyline, involving Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) and Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson).13 AprilBBC One airs the 500th episode of its hospital drama ''Holby City''.15 AprilITV airs the first of three election debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg ahead of the 2010 General Election.19 AprilAdrian Chiles quits the BBC to join ITV and GMTV in a new four-year deal.Five launches a contest to find an aspiring British actress to appear in ''Neighbours'' to celebrate the soap's 25th anniversary.21 AprilBen Shephard announces he is to quit GMTV after five years.ITV newsreader Katie Derham is to join the BBC. She will be given an arts brief, including fronting the coverage of the Proms for BBC Two and BBC Radio 3.22 AprilThe second election debate is aired by Sky News, and is viewed by an audience of 3.355 million, giving the channel its largest ever peak time audience. The debate is also shown on Sky Three and the BBC News Channel, and collectively attracts a viewership of 4.1 million.29 AprilBBC News hosts the final leaders debate before the election.Rachel Leskovac, who plays hairdresser Natasha Blakeman in ''Coronation Street'' is to leave the soap.30 AprilAdrian Chiles presents his final edition of The One Show.===May===Date Event4 MayThe premiere episode of ''Luther'' was aired on the BBC.5–19 MayAnalogue is switched off in the Bressay area.6–12 MayA Coverage of the 2010 general election is shown on all major television networks. There is also extensive coverage of the aftermath as the election results in a hung parliament and the Liberal Democrats seek to broker a deal with both the Conservatives and Labour to form a coalition government. David Cameron becomes Prime Minister on 11 May.12–26 MayAnalogue is switched off in the Keelylang area.12 MayJeremy Hunt is appointed as Culture Secretary by David Cameron.Steve Rider quits as ITV Sport anchor after five years after his World Cup presenting role is given to Adrian Chiles. ''Junior Apprentice'' makes its debut on BBC One. The first episode sees Karren Brady succeed Margaret Mountford as a member of Lord Sugar's board room.21 MayFinal ever episode of the BBC drama ''Ashes To Ashes''.24 MayChannel 4 premieres a live telecast game show ''The Million Pound Drop'' which became an international game show franchise shortly after the broadcast. The series (that would rename to ''The £100K Drop'' in 2018) would continue to run until its finale episode on 23 August 2019.28 MayGeorgia Bradford wins the 2010 series of ''Junior MasterChef''.29 MayGermany's Lena Meyer-Landrut wins the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest with "Satellite".===June===Date Event2 JuneTelevision schedules are changed in the wake of the Cumbria shootings. BBC One alters their programming to broadcast two BBC News Specials about the shootings, at 14:15 and 19:30 on the same day. The scheduled 21:00 episode of ITV's ''Coronation Street'' is cancelled as it contained a violent storyline featuring a gun siege. Episodes for 3 and 4 June were also cancelled and rescheduled to air the following week. An episode of the Channel 4 panel game ''You Have Been Watching'', which was due to be broadcast on 3 June, was postponed because it is a crime special.The BBC have announced that long running comedy ''Last of the Summer Wine'' is to be axed after 37 years.ITN has announced that Nina Hossain is to replace Katie Derham as a new co-host on ''London Tonight''.2 – 16 JuneAnalogue is switched off in the Rumster forest area.4 JunePenny Smith presents her final programme on GMTV after 17 years.BSkyB announces that it has finalised the terms of a deal to buy Virgin Media Television for £160 million.5 JuneGymnastics troupe Spelbound win the fourth series of ''Britain's Got Talent''.9 JuneBig Brother returns to Channel 4 for its final series.10 JuneMathematics student Arjun Rajyagor wins the first series of ''Junior Apprentice'' and a £25,000 investment from Lord Sugar to kick start his business career.11 JuneThe events of the 2010 FIFA World Cup start broadcasting worldwide.GMTV announces plans to rebrand itself in September, dropping the GMTV name after 17 years in a £1.5million overhaul. On the same day presenter Andrew Castle announces his intention to leave the station after 10 years on air.20 JuneITV has announced that Christine Bleakley is to join GMTV to reunite with Adrian Chiles after signing a three-year contract with the broadcaster.Thousands of hours of programming from STV's archives will be made available online from later in the year after the Scottish broadcaster signed a deal with YouTube, the ''Daily Record'' reports.23 JuneFollowing the previous day's emergency budget statement, David Cameron and Nick Clegg are questioned by a live audience on its potential impact. The programme ''Britain's Economy: Cameron and Clegg Face the Audience'' is presented by Nick Robinson and aired on the BBC News Channel and BBC Two.25 JuneITV is to suspend production of ''Heartbeat'' to catch up on a backlog of unbroadcast episodes, it is reported.27 JuneITV experiences its lowest viewing figures in its history. Less than one in ten people watched the channel and no more than 4 million people watched a single programme. On the day, the BBC broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup last-16 match between England and Germany (with 17.8 million viewers). Lack of viewers was also blamed on good summer weather.===July===Date Event1 July It is announced that Emma Crosby will leave GMTV after only a year.7 – 21 JulyAnalogue is switched off in the Eitshal area.9 JulyITV announces the name of its new breakfast television service that will replace ''GMTV''. ''Daybreak'' will launch in September.11 July The events of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finish broadcasting worldwide with the conclusion of the final match from Soccer City in Johannesburg.13 JulyBSkyB completes its deal to buy Virgin Media Television after receiving regulatory approval in the Republic of Ireland. Sky will rename its new acquisition Living TV Group.14 – 28 JulyAnalogue is switched off in the Skriaig area.16 JulyEssex teenager Gabriella Darlington wins Five's ''Be a Star on Neighbours'' competition, and will make a four-week appearance in the show as Poppy Rogers. She will be seen on UK screens from 10 November.19 JulyS4C begins broadcasting in high definition when it launches a channel called 'Clirlun'. 20 JulyThe Teletext games magazine GameCentral is to move to the ''Metro'' website following an online petition by fans to keep it running.23 JulyMedia tycoon Richard Desmond buys Five from RTL for £104m.25 JulyBBC One broadcasts the first episode of ''Sherlock'', a modern-day adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, written by ''Doctor Who'' showrunner Steven Moffat and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson. The episode is watched by a total of 7.5 million viewers.===August===Date Event4 – 18 AugustAnalogue is switched off in the Angus area.9 AugustViewers in Scotland complain to the BBC after hearing newsreader Kate Silverton swear at the end of a bulletin. The presenter had not realised the mic was still on when she uttered the expletive, which is only picked up by BBC One Scotland. The BBC later apologises for the incident.14 – 22 AugustThe events of the 2010 IBSA World Blind Football Championship are aired.20 AugustLisa Faulkner wins the 2010 series of ''Celebrity MasterChef''.23 AugustSky Sports News is removed from the Freeview platform after Sky decided to make it a subscription only channel.24 AugustJosie Gibson wins Channel 4's final regular series of Big Brother and Ultimate Big Brother launched immediately after becoming the final ever series of Big Brother to air on Channel 4.29 AugustAfter 37 years, the long-running sitcom ''Last of the Summer Wine'' is aired on BBC One for the last time.31 AugustAfter 26 years, the long-running police drama ''The Bill'' is aired on ITV for the last time, concluding with the second part of the series finale, ''Respect''.===September===Date Event1 – 15 SeptemberAnalogue is switched off in the Durris area.3 SeptemberGMTV airs its last edition after 17 years on air.Virgin1 is rebranded as Channel One.6 SeptemberNew ITV breakfast show ''Daybreak'' begins with former ''The One Show'' hosts Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley presenting. The inaugural edition features an interview with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, while overnight viewing figures published the following day indicate the programme had an audience of over a million.8 – 22 SeptemberAnalogue is switched off in the Knockmore area.9 SeptemberFive airs a special evening edition of its morning news themed programme ''The Wright Stuff'' to celebrate its tenth anniversary.10 SeptemberBarbara Windsor makes her final regular appearance as ''EastEnders'' Peggy Mitchell, exiting in a dramatic storyline that sees The Queen Vic destroyed by fire.Brian Dowling becomes Big Brother's Ultimate Housemate after winning Ultimate Big Brother which was the last ever series of the reality television show to air on Channel 4 before returning on 18 August 2011 this time on Channel 5.12 SeptemberHeartbeat airs its last ever episode after 18 years with the episode watched by 6.00 million viewers.14 SeptemberJay Hunt announces she is leaving the post of Controller of BBC One to take up the role of chief creative officer at Channel 4.15 SeptemberBSkyB announces that it is to close down Bravo (and also Bravo 2) on 1 January 2011 and Channel One (formerly Virgin 1) on 1 February 2011 to focus on the Living brand as well as their own channels such as Sky1, Sky2 and Sky3.The gameshow channel Challenge is to take over Channel One's slot on Freeview, which will boost ratings for Challenge.16 SeptemberBBC One airs a special edition of ''Question Time'' featuring David Miliband, Ed Miliband, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham and Diane Abbottthe five candidates in the forthcoming Labour Party leadership election.The Welsh language channel S4C2 is removed from Sky channel 507.17 SeptemberJessie Wallace returns to ''EastEnders'' after five years. 21 SeptemberEdd Kimber wins the first series of ''The Great British Bake Off''.28 SeptemberITV confirms that the noted 1950s red landmark "Granada TV" sign on the roof and entrance of Granada Studios on Quay Street, Manchester, has been removed for safety reasons after maintenance found it was badly corroded. ===October===Date Event1 OctoberThe very first 3D channel in the UK, Sky 3D launches.4 OctoberTiffany Pisani wins Cycle 6 of ''Britain's Next Top Model''.6 October''The Apprentice'' returns to BBC One for a sixth series, having been delayed from earlier in the year because of the general election, and concerns Lord Sugar's role as a government adviser could present a conflict of interest if the series was on air in the run up to polling day.6 – 20 OctoberAnalogue is switched off in the Rosemarkie area.8 OctoberDuring a review of the following day's newspapers, Sky News presenter Steve Dixon is forced to make a hasty apology after asking Bee Gee Robin Gibb if his brother, Maurice (who died in 2003) is watching while discussing an article that makes reference to the late singer.11 – 25 OctoberBBC Four show the first episode of ''Mark Gatiss''' ''A History of Horror'' documentary. Each of the three episodes looks at the influence of the genre and features interviews with the likes of John Carpenter, George A. Romero and Roger Corman.13 – 27 OctoberAnalogue is switched off in the Torosay area.14 OctoberFive confirms that Natasha Kaplinsky will leave the broadcaster at the end of the year.15 OctoberBBC Three Controller Danny Cohen is named as the new Controller of BBC One, replacing Jay Hunt.Five airs Episode 6000 of ''Neighbours''.20 OctoberITV confirms that Beverley Callard will leave her ''Coronation Street'' role as Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald in 2011, after 22 years with the soap.The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announces that part of the responsibility for funding S4C is to be transferred to the BBC. 23 OctoberChannel 4 teen soap ''Hollyoaks'' celebrates its 15th anniversary.28 OctoberRelease of ''A Simples Life'', the autobiography of the fictional meerkat Aleksandr Orlov, star of the Compare the Meerkat television ads that first appeared on screen in January 2009.The ads have proved popular with viewers, and have seen pre-order sales of the book on Amazon.co.uk out-perform those of autobiographies by people such as Tony Blair, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue.OctoberUKTV launches its second HD channel – for Eden.In Wales, S4C2 is removed from Virgin Media channel 168.===November===Date Event2 NovemberClaire Lara wins the third series of ''MasterChef: The Professionals''.4 NovemberBusiness Secretary Vince Cable orders Ofcom to investigate News Corporation's plan to take full control of BSkyB.5 NovemberMembers of the National Union of Journalists at the BBC begin a 48-hour strike in a dispute over proposed changes to the corporation's pension scheme. BBC News operates a reduced service.The BBC announces that ''Ready Steady Cook'' will not return for another series.8 NovemberBill Tarmey makes his final appearance on ''Coronation Street'', dying in his armchair of incurable cancer. Elizabeth Dawn returns for a one-off appearance as the ghost of Jack's late wife Vera.17 NovemberAnalogue is switched off in the Channel Islands.19 NovemberCast members of ''EastEnders'' and ''Coronation Street'' take part in a crossover episode titled ''East Street'' for ''Children in Need''.26 NovemberOfcom revokes the broadcast licenses of the four Tease Me television sex line channels for broadcasting sexually explicit content before the watershed.30 NovemberIn Wales, S4C2 is removed from Freeview channel 86.===December===Date Event4 DecemberSinger Stacey Solomon wins the tenth series of ''I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! ''.6 DecemberS4C2 ceases broadcasting when it is removed from the Freesat platform.9 DecemberITV soap ''Coronation Street'' celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special live episode.12 DecemberMatt Cardle wins the seventh series of ''The X Factor''.13 DecemberBBC journalist Ben Brown conducts an interview for the BBC News Channel with Jody McIntyre, a political activist with cerebral palsy who had been dragged from his wheelchair by Metropolitan police officers during a recent student protest march through London. Brown is subsequently criticised by viewers for adopting a "highly accusatory" tone during the interview.18 DecemberActress Kara Tointon and dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev win the eighth series of ''Strictly Come Dancing''.19 DecemberStella English wins the sixth series of ''The Apprentice''.Jockey Tony McCoy is named as this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year.21 DecemberThe European Commission approves News Corporation's bid to take full control of British satellite broadcaster BSkyB. However, the deal will be reviewed by Ofcom before a final decision is made.Responsibility for media and broadcasting policy is transferred from Business Secretary Vince Cable's Department to that of Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt after Cable was secretly recorded by ''Daily Telegraph'' journalists saying that he had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch over News Corporation's plans to take full control of BSkyB.26 December''Upstairs, Downstairs'' returns after 35 years of absence moving from ITV to BBC One.
Debuts ===BBC===Date Debut Channel2 January''So You Think You Can Dance''  BBC One4 January''Great British Railway Journeys''  BBC Two8 January''Tracy Beaker Returns''  CBBC''EastEnders: E20''  BBC Online9 January''Driver Dan's Story Train''  CBeebies13 January''The Persuasionists''  BBC Two14 January ''Material Girl''  BBC One18 January''Late Kick Off'' 21 January ''Bellamy's People''  BBC Two22 January''The Review Show''  ''Spirit Warriors''  CBBC24 January ''Rock & Chips''   BBC One  ''The Great Rift: Africa's Wild Heart''  BBC Two25 January''Alphablocks''  CBeebies30 January''The Virtual Revolution''  BBC Two31 January''The Seven Ages of Britain''  BBC One 4 February''Hotter Than My Daughter''  BBC Three 19 February ''The Bubble''  BBC Two21 February''Banded Brothers'' 23 February''On Expenses''  BBC Four1 March''This is Jinsy''   BBC Three7 March''Wonders of the Solar System''  BBC Four9 March''The Gemma Factor''  BBC Three14 March''Tropic of Cancer''  BBC Two15 March''Big Babies''  CBBC 18 March''Museum of Life''  BBC Two26 March''Over the Rainbow''  BBC One31 March''Canoe Man''  BBC Four5 April''ZingZillas''  CBeebies6 April''Great Ormond Street''  BBC Two18 April''America's Medicated Kids''23 April''Frank Skinner's Opinionated'' 25 April''Five Daughters''   BBC One26 April ''Ceres with Russell & Kerrie''  BBC One1 May ''I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band!'' BBC Two3 May ''Everything's Rosie''  CBeebies4 May ''Boats that Built Britain''  BBC Four''Luther''  BBC One10 May''High Street Dreams'' 12 May''Junior Apprentice'' 17 May''Royal Wedding''  BBC Two23 May''Money''31 May''The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister''3 June''Pulse''  BBC Three4 June''Hounded''  CBBC10 June''Lee Nelson's Well Good Show''  BBC Three''Stanley Park'' 22 June''Mongrels'' 23 June''Lennon Naked''  BBC Four28 June''Rev.'' BBC Two30 June''Reunited''  BBC One''The Bionic Vet'' 10 July''101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow'' 11 July''Sunday Morning Live''15 July''Victorian Pharmacy''  BBC Two18 July''How to Be a Composer''  BBC Four19 July''Young, Dumb and Living Off Mum''  BBC Three24 July''John Bishop's Britain''  BBC One25 July''Sherlock'' 28 July''The Great Outdoors''  BBC Four3 August''The Deep''  BBC One6 August ''Roger & Val Have Just Got In''  BBC Two9 August ''Grandma's House'' 12 August ''The Jungle Book''  CBBC15 August''Secret Britain''  BBC One''Vexed''  BBC Two22 August''Mountain Gorilla'' 24 August''Dive'' 2 September''The King Is Dead''  BBC Three6 September''Him & Her'' ''Climbing Great Buildings''  BBC Two12 September''A Concert For Heroes''  BBC One14 September''First Light''  BBC Two16 September''The Road to Coronation Street''  BBC Four17 September''The Rob Brydon Show''  BBC Two18 September''The Special Relationship''  27 September''Ask Rhod Gilbert''  BBC One28 September''Whites''  BBC Two4 October''The Octonauts''  CBeebies9 October ''The Song of Lunch''  BBC Four10 October''Law and Disorder in Lagos''  BBC Two12 October''Lip Service''  BBC Three1 November''The Trip''  BBC Two3 November''Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention''  BBC One15 November''Accused'' ''The Indian Doctor'' 25 December''Come Fly with Me'' 26 December''Upstairs Downstairs''===ITV===Date Debut Channel2 January''Take Me Out''  ITV15 January''Popstar to Operastar'' 1 February''FHM's Stand-Up Hero''  ITV422 February''Married Single Other''  ITV27 February''Ant & Dec's Push The Button'' 5 March''STV Sports Centre''  STV26 March''Comedy Rocks''  ITV2 April''The Door'' 12 April''Joanna Lumley's Nile'' 16 April''Kitchen Burnout'' 17 April''The Prisoner''''The Whole 19 Yards'' 22 April''The Nightshift''  STV7 June''Father & Son''  ITV12 June''James Corden's World Cup Live''5 July''Identity''17 July''Magic Numbers'' ''Odd One In'' 2 August''3@Three'' 16 August''The Michael Ball Show'' ''Style Queen''  ITV224 August''Jedward: Let Loose'' 6 September''Daybreak''  ITV''Lorraine'' ''Bouquet of Barbed Wire'' 10 September''Paul O'Grady Live'' 12 September''Albert's Memorial'' 22 September''Richard Bacon's Beer & Pizza Club''  ITV426 September''Downton Abbey''  ITV27 September''DCI Banks''10 October''The Only Way Is Essex''  ITV221 October''Mark Watson Kicks Off''  ITV415 November''Party Wars''  ITV20 November''Simply Red: For the Last Time''20 December''Come Rain Come Shine''===Channel 4===Date Debut Channel18 January''Gordon's Great Escape''  Channel 425 January''The Good Wife''31 January''Mo''5 April''Channel 4's Comedy Gala''7 April''A Comedy Roast'' 10 April''100 Greatest Stand-Ups'' 16 April''Facejacker'' 19 April''Happy Finish''''iCandy'' 21 April''Penelope Princess of Pets'' 22 April''Filth'' 23 April''Hung Out''''MovieMash''''The Ricky Gervais Show'' 24 May''The Million Pound Drop Live'' 31 May''The 5 O'Clock Show'' 21 June''Being... N-Dubz''  4Music25 June''Stand Up for the Week''  Channel 46 August''Pete Versus Life''10 August''Help! My House is Falling Down'' 7 September''This Is England '86''26 September''Trinny & Susannah: What They Did Next'' ''Miliband of Brothers''  More41 October''The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret''  Channel 47 October''PhoneShop'' 16 October''The Pillars of the Earth''1 November''Coppers'' 8 November''Celebrity Coach Trip''21 November ''Any Human Heart''30 November''Frankie Boyle's Tramadol Nights'' ===Five===Date Debut Channel11 January''Paul Merton in Europe'' Five9 February''Chinese Food in Minutes''29 March''Justin Lee Collins: Good Times''31 March''Heads or Tails''18 July''Don't Stop Believing''24 September''Eddie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers''22 October''Warship''25 December ''Rosamunde Pilcher's Shades of Love''===Other channels===Date Debut Channel3 January''Got to Dance''  Sky 18 January''Bill Bailey's Birdwatching Bonanza'' 1 February''The Cleveland Show''  E410 January''What Do Kids Know?'' Watch14 February''Pineapple Dance Studios''  Sky 111 March''A League of Their Own'' 19 March''Comedy Exchange''  Dave26 March ''Liza & Huey's Pet Nation''  Sky 1 and Sky 1 HD6 April ''The Bopps''  Nick Jr.2 May''Scream! If You Know the Answer''  Watch5 May''Strike Back''  Sky 130 May''Terry Pratchett's Going Postal''10 June''Football's Greatest''  Sky Sports 1 & 223 July''Suck My Pop''  Viva15 August''Must Be The Music''  Sky 129 August''The Middle''3 September''Comedy Central at the Comedy Store''  Comedy Central23 September''An Idiot Abroad''  Sky 110 October''Dave's One Night Stand''  Dave4 November''Carpool''
Channels ===New channels===DateChannel1 MarchMTV Classic17 MarchDance Nation TV29 MarchLavaImagine TV2 AprilITV1 HD22 AprilSky News HD1 MayJewellery Maker1 JuneSTV HD5 JulyLiving Loves13 JulyFive HD6 AugustSky Movies Classics HD9 AugustComedy Central HD23 AugustSky Sports News HDSky3 +131 AugustGood Food HD1 SeptemberVintage TV1 OctoberSky 3D4 OctoberEden HD5 OctoberNickelodeon HDUTV HD7 OctoberITV2 HD1 NovemberFilm GB3 NovemberBBC One HD15 NovemberITV3 HDITV4 HD===Defunct channels===DateChannel1 MarchRockworld TVVH1 Classic10 MarchVirgin Central17 MarchFlaunt29 MarchRockworld TVNDTV Imagine31 MarchS4C (analogue service)1 AprilMen & MotorsGOD Europe21 AprilUnexplained Channel5 MayThomas Cook TV2 JuneRural TV24 JuneSky Travel30 JuneMusic Choice Europe1 JulyLiving +26 AugustReal Madrid TV19 AugustSky Real LivesSky Real Lives +1Sky Real Lives HDSky Real Lives 231 AugustTeachers TV1 SeptemberoMusic TV2 SeptemberOriginal Black Entertainment TV8 SeptemberEdge Media Television6 DecemberS4C2===Rebranded channels===DateOld NameNew Name6 JanuarySky Sports XtraSky Sports 41 MarchMTV RMTV ShowsMTV TwoMTV Rocks13 AprilSci Fi ChannelSyfySci Fi Channel +1Syfy +1Sci Fi Channel HDSyfy HD3 SeptemberVirgin1Channel OneVirgin1 +1Channel One +115 OctoberHallmark ChannelUniversal ChannelHallmark Channel +1Universal Channel +1Hallmark Channel HDUniversal Channel HD
Changes of network affiliation ShowMoved from Moved to ''Golden Balls'' ITV1 Challenge ''The British Comedy Awards'' Channel 4 ''Upstairs, Downstairs'' BBC One ''PhoneShop'' Channel 4 E4 ''Robot Wars'' (repeats) Bravo Dave ''Top of the Pops 2'' Dave Yesterday ''South Park'' (on Freeview) Channel 4 Viva ''Pinky and the Brain'' CBBC Kix
Television shows ===Returning this year after a break of one year or longer===ProgrammeDate of original removalOriginal channelDate of returnNew channel(s)''Thomas & Friends''26 September 2008Channel 525 January 2010N/A (Same channel as original)''Jo Frost Extreme Parental Guidance''8 October 2008Channel 49 February 2010''Children's Hospital''26 February 2003BBC One23 March 2010ITV''Upstairs, Downstairs''21 December 1975ITV26 December 2010BBC One
Continuing television shows ===1920s===ProgrammeDate''BBC Wimbledon''1927–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present===1930s===ProgrammeDateThe Boat Race1938–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present===1950s===ProgrammeDate''Panorama''1953–present''Eurovision Song Contest''1956–present''The Sky at Night''1957–present''Blue Peter''1958–present===1960s===ProgrammeDate''Coronation Street''1960–present''Points of View''1961–present''Songs of Praise''''University Challenge''1962–1987, 1994–present''Doctor Who'' 1963–1989, 1996, 2005–present''Match of the Day''''The Money Programme''1966–2010===1970s===ProgrammeDate''Question of Sport''1970–present''Emmerdale''1972–present''Mastermind''''Newsround''''Last of the Summer Wine''1973–2010''Arena''1975–present''One Man and His Dog''1976–present''The Krypton Factor''1977–1995, 2009–2010''Top Gear''1977–present''Ski Sunday''1978–present''Antiques Roadshow''1979–present''Question Time'' ===1980s===ProgrammeDate''Children in Need''1980–present''Timewatch''1982–present''The Bill''1984–2010''Channel 4 Racing''1984–2016''Thomas & Friends''1984–present''EastEnders''1985–present''Comic Relief''''Casualty''1986–present''Fireman Sam''1987–1994, 2005–2013''This Morning''1988–present''The Simpsons''1989–present===1990s===ProgrammeDate''Have I Got News for You''1990–present''Heartbeat''1992–2010''A Touch of Frost''''Shooting Stars''1993–2002, 2009–2011''Time Team''1994–2013''The National Lottery Draws''1994–2017''Top of the Pops 2''1994–2017''Hollyoaks''1995–present''Never Mind the Buzzcocks''1996–2015''Silent Witness''1996–present''Midsomer Murders''1997–present''Y Clwb Rygbi'', Wales''South Park''''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ''1998–2014''Bob the Builder''1998–present ''British Soap Awards'' 1999–2019, 2022–present''Family Guy''1999–2002, 2005–present''Futurama''1999–2003, 2008–2013''Bremner, Bird and Fortune''1999–2010''SpongeBob SquarePants''1999–present''Holby City''1999–2022===2000s===ProgrammeDate''The Weakest Link''2000–2012, 2017–present''Big Brother''2000–present''Real Crime''2001–2011''I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! ''2002–present''Harry Hill's TV Burp''2002–2012''Spooks''2002–2011''Daily Politics''2003–2018''New Tricks''2003–2015''QI''2003–present''Peep Show''2003–2015''Politics Show''2003–2011''The Royal''''This Week''2003–2019''Doc Martin''2004–2022''Shameless''2004–2013''Strictly Come Dancing''2004–present''The X Factor''2004–2018''Coach Trip''2005–2006, 2009–2012, 2013–present''Come Dine with Me''2005–present''8 Out of 10 Cats''''It's Me or the Dog''2005–2012''Deal or No Deal''2005–2016''The Andrew Marr Show''2005–2021''Mock the Week''2005–2022''Dancing on Ice'' 2006–present''That Mitchell and Webb Look''2006–2010''Torchwood''2006–2011''Waterloo Road''2006–2015''Britain's Got Talent''2007–present''Gavin & Stacey''2007–2010, 2019''M.I.High''2007–2014''Outnumbered''''Trapped''2007–present''The Sarah Jane Adventures''2007–2011''Skins''2007–2013''The Tudors''2007–2010''Would I Lie To You? ''2007–present''Argumental''2008–2012''Ashes to Ashes''2008–2010''Mistresses''''Only Connect''2008–present''The Inbetweeners''2008–2010''Merlin''2008–2012''Survivors''2008–2010''Wallander''2008–2016''Bang Goes the Theory''2009–2014''The Chase''2009–present''The Cube''2009–2015''The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson''2009–2011''Miranda''2009–2015''Missing''2009–2010''PhoneShop''2009–2013''Pointless''2009–present''Psychoville''2009–2011''Russell Howard's Good News''2009–2015''School of Comedy''2009–2010''Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps''2009–2010''Rip Off Britain''2009–present
Ending this year DateProgrammeChannelDebut(s)1 January''Gavin & Stacey''BBC One200729 January''Celebrity Big Brother''Channel 4200112 February''Bill Bailey's Birdwatching Bonanza''Sky 1201023 February''Survivors''BBC One200811 March''Bellamy's People''BBC Two201014 March''Banded Brothers''26 March''Missing''BBC One200929 March''Married Single Other''ITV20103 April''The Door''5 April''A Touch of Frost''199222 April''Museum of Life''BBC Two201025 April ''Tropic of Cancer''27 April''Five Daughters''BBC One4 May''Chinese Food in Minutes''Five7 May''Divided''ITV200921 May''Ashes to Ashes''BBC One200826 May''Money''BBC Two201030 May''The South Bank Show''ITV197831 May''Terry Pratchett's Going Postal''Sky 120105 June''The Whole 19 Yards''ITV16 July''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross''BBC One200123 July''The 5 O'Clock Show''Channel 4201030 July''Working Lunch''BBC Two19949 August''Identity''ITV201013 August''3@Three''22 August''Don't Stop Believing''Five26 August''Mistresses''BBC One200828 August''Magic Numbers''ITV201029 August''Last of the Summer Wine''BBC One197331 August''The Deep''2010''The Bill''ITV19843 September''GMTV''19935 September''Mountain Gorilla''BBC Two20107 September''Raven''CBBC200210 September''Big Brother''Channel 42000''SkyNews.com''Sky News200712 September''Heartbeat''ITV199219 September''Must Be the Music''Sky 1201024 September''The Michael Ball Show''ITV28 September''Climbing Great Buildings''BBC Two''This Is England '86''Channel 418 October''The Inbetweeners''E42008''School of Comedy''200922 October''Suck My Pop''Viva20102 November''Whites''BBC Two7 November''Taggart''ITV1983''To Buy or Not to Buy''BBC One200318 November''Reggie Perrin''20098 December''Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention''201017 December ''The Restaurant''BBC Two2007''Trisha Goddard''Five2005
Deaths DateNameAgeBroadcast credibility5 FebruaryIan Carmichael 89Actor15 FebruaryGeorge Waring841 MarchKristian Digby32Television presenter and director20 MarchHarry Carpenter84Sports commentator7 AprilChristopher Cazenove66Actor25 JuneAlan Plater75Television playwright1 JulyGeoffrey Hutchings71Actor  13 JulyGilly Coman54Actress6 AugustJohn Louis Mansi83Actor (Heer von Smallhausen in '''Allo 'Allo! '')4 OctoberNorman Wisdom95Actor and comedian11 OctoberClaire Rayner79Broadcaster and writer14 OctoberSimon MacCorkindale58Actor, director and producer26 NovemberGavin Blyth41''Emmerdale'' producer, ''Coronation Street'' story maker20 DecemberBrian Hanrahan61Television journalist
See also * 2010 in British music* 2010 in British radio* 2010 in the United Kingdom* List of British films of 2010
References
External links * List of 2010 British television series at IMDb