Recession-hit ITV has announced the departure of some of the channel's best loved faces and drama programmes. Among those disappearing are Sean Bean, whose programme Sharpe is axed, and Wire In The Blood star Robson Green, whose psycho-thriller will also be discontinued.
Also going is David Jason, who retires when A Touch Of Frost's 17-year run finishes at the end of this year.
The programming cull, part of a £575-million cost-cutting move - the biggest in ITV's 54-year history - was decided upon after the broadcaster recorded a loss of around £2.7 billion last year.
Other favourites soon to be confined to history include popular Morse spin off Lewis and hospital drama The Royal. Police drama Heartbeat is going, too, and even long-standing shows like the The Bill and This Morning will be affected. The former will put out one less episode a week while Phillip Schofield's show may be shelved during the summer months.
Photo: ITV
Photo: Rex
