The end of an era arrived for BBC viewers as the network’s Click aired their final show with host Spencer Kelly becoming visually emotional during the broadcast
A BBC broadcaster reflected on past moments as he signed off from his morning programme, admitting it had been the “time of my life.” Click, the BBC’s technology programme, had been delivering the latest gadget news to viewers for almost 25 years since it first arrived on screens in 2000.
Click’s regular weekend spot on BBC One was discontinued due to major budget reductions of £24 million. The cost-cutting spree also scrapped HARDtalk, the long-running interview programme that lasted 28 years, and removed the Asian Network’s dedicated news bulletins. Click was founded by former BBC presenter Stephen Cole.
Each episode runs for about 30 minutes, and since its launch on 6 April 2000, a fresh episode has been broadcast weekly, celebrating its 1,000th episode on 6 July 2019. In October 2024, the channel declared it would end the program after 25 years, alongside its interview series HARDtalk.
This Saturday morning marked Click’s final episode, with its longtime host Spencer Kelly getting visibly emotional with the audience one last time. Spencer kicked off talking about the digital revolution brought about by AI, musing: “Every so often, we reach a tipping point in certain technology where many, many new things suddenly become possible and it does feel like we are reaching one of those milestones.
The end of an era arrived for BBC viewers as a much-loved technology programme aired its final episode
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“Now AI is starting to change the world and the next generation will both be using it as a tool and facing the consequences of it getting better and better at the tasks we once thought were uniquely human. I wonder how different their world will be to that of the early 21st Century when I first welcomed you all to Click, 1,000 programmes ago.”
Presenter Spencer took viewers down memory lane by flashing back to his first days on Click in 2006 before cutting back to the present. The tech show’s veteran host continued: “But that is it from me on Click. It has been such a privilege to see the things that I’ve seen and bring those stories to you.
“I have had the time of my life and I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride too. So thank you so much for watching and goodbye.” His co-presenter, Lara Lewington previously shared her own regrets over the show ending, particularly at such a pivotal time, saying, “at this moment of AI transformation and incredible acceleration in innovation
Click, the BBC’s beloved technology programme, had been delivering the latest gadget news to viewers for almost 25 years since it first arrived on screens in 2000
Back in November, Keir Starmer claimed artificial intelligence offers a “golden opportunity” to boost the economy. The Prime Minister said the technology could impact almost every area of people’s lives across the country, as he encouraged young people to get involved. During a visit to Google’s new AI campus in London, Mr Starmer insisted: “There is a race on now, for AI, we are well-placed in that race.”
He said: “Whether that’s better treatments for cancer and other diseases and faster diagnoses, or in education, with personalised learning helping every child go as far as their talent will take them. Or in defence, ensuring our national security in a more volatile world.” The PM added: “Make no mistake – this is a golden opportunity to drive growth, raise living standards, and put money into people’s pockets.”
