7 Up to end with one last 70 Up as beloved ITV documentary series 'completes its final chapter'
The 10th and final episode will be an emotional one7 Up is about to tell its “final chapter” as the iconic documentary series draws to an end with one last episode, 70 Up.
Fans have been tuning into the ITV show once every 10 years for the last six decades to catch up on the lives of 14 everyday people.
But, as we enter its 70th year, the programme will return for one final “epic and moving” instalment.
Viewers have watched the participants grow from seven-year-old children with wild hopes, dreams and ambitions into teens.
They have been seen navigating adulthood, with different career paths and family moments and milestones. Then they arrived at their senior years.
And now, with a world that looks quite different to the one they started out in, the 7 Up group will give a last update on their lives. They will then bow out for good.
What is 7 Up on ITV?
7 Up first aired in May 1964 as part of ITV’s World in Action current affairs programming. All 14 participants were seven years old and came from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds.
The idea for 7 Up was based on the saying “Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man”.
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Producers wanted to see if a child’s future was likely to be defined by their upbringing and class. Initially, it was to be a stand-alone documentary to look at the generation who would be reaching adulthood at the turn of the millennium.
But with viewers captivated by the children’s ambitions and predictions for the future, TV bosses decided to revisit the group once every seven years throughout their lives.
The last instalment to air was 63 Up in 2019. Sadly, one of the original participants, Lynn Johnson, had recently died following a short illness. The show featured interviews with Lynn’s husband and daughters and they spoke about the impact of her death.
ITV confirms final 70 Up episode
70 Up’s finale will catch up with once-public schoolboy Bruce, foster carer Symon and Jackie, who left Scotland with a new partner.
Paul, known for being shy, is now a grandparent and “cheeky chap” Tony will be giving an update on his life. Neil will also be sharing where his life has continued to take him, seven decades on from wanting to be an astronaut.
Sadly, 70 Up will be missing a second participant when it returns. In 2023, Nicholas Hitchon died. The son of a Yorkshire farmer, viewers will remember that Nicholas had emigrated to the US.
Nicholas had appeared in 63 Up and spoke about his throat cancer diagnosis. He told of his life expectancy, which he ended up exceeding.
Meanwhile, viewers be reintroduced to a face from the past. Charles Furneaux bowed out of the Up series after 21 Up aired in 1977. But he is returning for the last episode.
An ITV spokesperson says of 70 Up: “Sue will talk about marrying Glenn and decades working at Queen Mary University of London, while Peter has more music news.
“KC John who wanted a powerful career and lawyer Andrew, the prep school boy who famously read the FT, return. Alongside them is Suzy, the young ballerina who hated her private school.
“The series will remember fondly the late Lynn, part of the trio of friends. Meanwhile, we hear from Charles who left the programme at 21.
“And the series will also include a poignant and moving interview with the late Nick, the farmer’s son who fulfilled his dream to become a nuclear physicist.”
When will 70 Up be on?
ITV has shared a picture of all of the remaining Up originals who are taking part in 70 Up. The 11-strong gang (sadly minus the late Lynn and Nicholas, and without Charles) are raising a glass as they reunite for one last time.
The group are all smiling broadly as they reflect on their usual shared experience of life in the spotlight.
It has been confirmed that 70 Up will air this autumn. An exact date is yet to be confirmed but, like 63 Up, the finale is expected to run across several episodes on ITV1 and ITVX.
Well, cheers to them all. It’s the end of an era!
