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From Belfast Telegraph Digital:
Quote:
Curtain falls on the Kelly Show
Finale marks the end of an era
The curtain is coming down on one of UTV's most popular television series after 17 years.
The Kelly Show is set to end in December with a huge finale to mark the last ever series and the end of an era in local television.
However, presenter Gerry Kelly will be back in the hot seat in 2006 with a brand new peaktime weekly series.
And Gerry will also be taking on a new Sunday show on UTV's new radio station U105, which is being launched this November.
Although UTV are saying little about the new television show, it will feature more in-depth interviews conducted by the presenter.
Gerry said: "Plans are well underway for my brand new peaktime weekly television series next year which I am confident viewers will enjoy every bit as much as Kelly.
"The new show will have more in-depth one-to-one interviews and a new approach.
"But that's all I'm willing to reveal for now, for the next few months it's business as usual on Friday nights at 9pm."
Gerry said he was very proud of the Kelly series but felt the time was right to get his teeth into a new project.
"I have some fabulous memories of taking the show to New York, Hong Kong, South Africa and all over Ireland.
"I've interviewed everyone from presidents to paupers - the who's who of the past 17 years - and it has been a rich and wonderful experience.
"The series started back in 1989, at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and, for a long time, we were bringing big name international guests to Northern Ireland at a time when nobody really wanted to come here.
"I feel privileged that viewers throughout Ireland have been tuning in year after year and continue to enjoy Kelly.
"I am looking forward to some great shows between now and Christmas."
Alan Bremner, director of Television, UTV, said: "The Kelly Show has been UTV's most successful and longest running series.
"We are all a little sad to say farewell to it but Gerry is the star of the show and his plans for a brand new programme in the New Year are very exciting."
Finale marks the end of an era
The curtain is coming down on one of UTV's most popular television series after 17 years.
The Kelly Show is set to end in December with a huge finale to mark the last ever series and the end of an era in local television.
However, presenter Gerry Kelly will be back in the hot seat in 2006 with a brand new peaktime weekly series.
And Gerry will also be taking on a new Sunday show on UTV's new radio station U105, which is being launched this November.
Although UTV are saying little about the new television show, it will feature more in-depth interviews conducted by the presenter.
Gerry said: "Plans are well underway for my brand new peaktime weekly television series next year which I am confident viewers will enjoy every bit as much as Kelly.
"The new show will have more in-depth one-to-one interviews and a new approach.
"But that's all I'm willing to reveal for now, for the next few months it's business as usual on Friday nights at 9pm."
Gerry said he was very proud of the Kelly series but felt the time was right to get his teeth into a new project.
"I have some fabulous memories of taking the show to New York, Hong Kong, South Africa and all over Ireland.
"I've interviewed everyone from presidents to paupers - the who's who of the past 17 years - and it has been a rich and wonderful experience.
"The series started back in 1989, at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and, for a long time, we were bringing big name international guests to Northern Ireland at a time when nobody really wanted to come here.
"I feel privileged that viewers throughout Ireland have been tuning in year after year and continue to enjoy Kelly.
"I am looking forward to some great shows between now and Christmas."
Alan Bremner, director of Television, UTV, said: "The Kelly Show has been UTV's most successful and longest running series.
"We are all a little sad to say farewell to it but Gerry is the star of the show and his plans for a brand new programme in the New Year are very exciting."
