People are feeling nostalgic over childhood shows as CITV shuts down

The sound of hearts breaking could be heard across the country on Friday as people dealt with the loss of CITV.

As of 1 September 2023, the children’s TV channel - which originally launched as the ‘Children’s ITV’ block in January 1983 is a thing of the past as it has been folded into ITV’s streaming platform ITVX and will now be named ITVX Kids.

Nothing can beat arriving home from school, turning on CITV and watching classics like the mind-blowing Art Attack or the chilling Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids.

Former CITV viewers have now taken to social media to revel in nostalgia by paying tribute to their favourite shows growing up.

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“I loved Art Attack,” one fan tweeted. “I'd try to create the Big Art Attacks with all the towels we had at home.”

Another former viewer said: “For me, it's easily Jungle Run and Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, and I'm glad the latter's sticking around on ITVX Kids.”

A third person reminisced: “As a kid I would switch between both CBBC and CITV but loved to watch Funhouse, Finders Keepers, Art Attack and My Parents Are Aliens, I did love a lot of their other shows too.”

One fan mourned: "The end of an era. Thanks for the memories CITV, you’ve been incredible."

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Someone else gushed: “My favourite show from CITV has to be Horrid Henry! Not seen it for years but I used to love it.”

While one X user shared a long list of CITV’s best bangers, including: “Art Attack, Bernard’s Watch, Worst Witch, My Parents Are Aliens, Matt's Million, How 2, Woof, Rosie & Jim, Tots TV, Whizziwig, Children's Ward, Raggy Dolls, Wizadora, Sooty & Co, Mike & Angelo, Rainbow.”

How many do you remember?

CITV

Some famous faces who graced our screens on CITV also shared their thoughts about the channel closing. Stephen Mulhern, whose career began by presenting children’s telly including Finger Tips and Tricky TV, tweeted: “'Hello all, CITV started my career in TV, it was an incredibly special time learning the craft of how to present live TV.

CITV/X

“I will forever be thankful for every opportunity it has delivered. Great people, great shows and great times.”

Meanwhile, A Place in the Sun's Leah Charles-King, who also presented on CITV, said: “Goodbye #CITV! The end of an era. You launched my TV career almost 25 years ago, like many who came before and after me. You were my chosen kids channel growing up & it was a dream to become a @ChildrensITV presenter & part of your legacy. You’ll be missed. #CITVFarewell.”

Bye bye, CITV, you will be missed!