Give My Head Peace creators told via email show not recommissioned

The creators of Give My Head Peace have said they were told by email that the long-running comedy show had not been commissioned for a new series.

It comes as the corporation faces "significant financial pressures" and is attempting to save £500m over two years .

Tim McGarry, who plays Da, said the team are "disappointed" by the news and "a little bit hurt" at how they say it was delivered.

The Blame Game, which is presented by McGarry, will also not return.

A spokesperson said that while they "recognise the significant contribution" both programmes have made, the BBC is "facing real financial challenges at this time and will need to make some difficult decisions in order to manage them".

"We're slightly hurt as well in the manner of it. It was not very pleasant in that we were told by email after 30 years that Give My Head Peace wasn't coming back," McGarry told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.

"The BBC doesn't owe us a living. We've been very, very lucky, I want to make that absolutely clear, the BBC made this programme when no other broadcaster in Northern Ireland would make such a programme," he said.

"But to lose it in such a way, just kind of get an email saying sorry lads you're away is a little bit hurtful."

The news the two shows would not be returning to the BBC was first reported by the Belfast Newsletter .

Sitcom Give My Head Peace first appeared on TV in 1995 while panel show The Blame Game broadcast its 23rd series last year.

Give My Head Peace starred the comedy and writing group the Hole in the Wall Gang with characters such as Da, Ma, Uncle Andy, Cal, Billy and Dympna.

The programme started with the pilot episode Two Ceasefires and a Wedding and ran from the late 1990s to 2007.

Despite originating on TV, the team also write and perform a stage show version of Give My Head Peace and present a related podcast.

McGarry said their ability to tap into the news cycle in a comedic way has helped the show stay "relevant".

"The great thing about Give My Head Peace was it's a mixture of satire, political satire, but also farce and laugh-out-loud comedy, so kids can enjoy it, people who are into our politics can enjoy it," he said. "And I think we still did have relevance."

"Comedy is genuinely a very important force in society. We need to laugh at ourselves. We take ourselves far too seriously in this part of the world sometimes."

He added that the show had "30 good years" at the BBC, but said "one last hurrah would have been nice because this is an iconic show and much loved by very, very many people across Northern Ireland".

Damon Quinn, who plays Cal and is a writer and producer on the show, said they were "unbelievably proud" of it and "very grateful" to the BBC, but said not commissioning another season was a "misguided and wrong decision".

"There are a lot of pressures financially on the BBC these days, you can't deny that it's true, but I think if you want to defend local broadcasting, local programmes, this is not the way to defend them.

"[Give My Head Peace] is made by people who live here, it's of this place," he said.

"That's what local audiences are going to want, there's always going to be that need and a want for that."

The Blame Game was also hosted by McGarry and featured panellists such as Colin Murphy, Diona Doherty, Neil Delamere and Jake O'Kane.

Writing on social media, Murphy thanked everyone who watched and worked on the show, adding that "nothing lasts forever".

Delamere added they had a "great time over the last 20 years" and thanked people for watching the show.

Local comedian Paddy McDonnell who has appeared on the show said he is "sad to see" the cuts.

"Times do change and things have to happen, it is just unfortunate that its two of those institutions being pulled from the TV and the airwaves," he told BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show .

A BBC spokesperson said: "We haven't commissioned new series of The Blame Game or Give My Head Peace at this stage.

"We recognise the significant contribution that both programmes have made to our local TV schedules over many years and the enjoyment that they've provided for BBC audiences.

"We are facing real financial challenges at this time and will need to make some difficult decisions in order to manage them, whilst also protecting the distinctiveness and impact of the service we provide."

Other shows across the BBC that have not been renewed include RuPaul's Drag Race UK , Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo .