BBC cancels 1Xtra star's show after two series as huge shake-up continues

26 February 2024 , 13:54

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The BBC has cancelled a 1xtra star's show after just two series following a huge-shake up at the corporation (Image: PA)

The BBC has cancelled a 1Xtra star's show after just two series following a huge-shake up at the corporation.

DJ Target's BBC Three series, Tonight With Target, which championed black British music artists, will not return to the screen, the corporation has confirmed. The show, hosted by the founding member of grime group, Roll Deep, presenter Darren Joseph, featured established and up-and coming-artists, including the likes of Big Zuu, Eddie Kadi, Babatunde Aleshe and Little Simz.

However, it's now been canned, with the BBC confirming that while there were no plans for another instalment, fans could still still watch the current episodes on iPlayer.

DJ Target's BBC Three series, Tonight With Target, which championed black British music artists, will not return to the screen (BBC)

In a statement, the broadcaster said: "Whilst there are no plans for another series of Tonight with Target, we’d like to thank DJ Target and the entire team at New Wave and Naked for bringing viewers two high octane series, all of which are still available for viewers to watch on BBC iPlayer," reports TVZone.

DJ Target joined BBC 1 Xtra in 2018 and told GQ magazine Tonight With Target, which launched in 2021, "happened almost accidentally". Speaking about his move to the small screen, he said: "I've been doing my thing as a DJ, as a radio presenter. Originally, I wasn’t down to be the presenter, I was just helping out with some ideas and consultation and those consultations – after a bunch of meetings and catching up and developing the show – turned into a conversation about me hosting it with Krept & Konan. I’d never really seen myself as a TV presenter.

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"It wasn't something that was on my bucket list, necessarily. We just wanted to make something that was authentic and credible and people could enjoy, but without losing the essence of what the show is actually about, which is: it’s a rap competition. So that was how I slid over into TV."

In 2022, BBC chief Tim Davie announced plans to axe 1,000 jobs in the coming years. The huge shake-up is part of a major overhaul at the Beeb to address a £500million budget cut for the taxpayer-funded corporation.

DJ Target said his TV show happened 'almost accidentally' (BBC)

Speaking to BBC staff at the time, Mr Davie said: "This is our moment to build a digital-first BBC. "Something genuinely new, a Reithian organisation for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world. Independent, impartial, constantly innovating and serving all."

Last week, the director-general confirmed he plans to keep “all the local radio services” as the corporation continues to implement cost-saving measures.

On Monday, 19 February the BBC boss addressed questions by the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee (PAC) about the future of its radio and TV services while he provided an update on the corporation’s plans to “strengthen” UK delivery. Addressing concerns more shows were going to be pulled from the airwaves, he said: “We are keeping all local radio services, all of them. We’re keeping all the breakfast shows."

Victoria Johns