After almost three decades of entertaining music lovers and giving hopefuls, both in the world of TV and music, a chance to cut their teeth, MTV UK has finally come to an end.
Though the television channel will remain on our airwaves, those distinctly British productions will no longer feature on our screens, after parent company Paramount made the call to end them after more than 25 years of local programming.
For many of a certain age, we still recall the thrill of coming home after school in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, or going to a friend’s house if you couldn’t afford Sky or Cable TV, and investing our time that should have been spent on homework instead watching ‘Hitlist UK’ - or a personal favourite of mine, ‘So 90s.’
The network also happened to be the place where some of the UK’s biggest household names first ventured into the world of presenting, and while some may have fallen off the map, others have continued to have a steady flow of work, with some even becoming names on US television.
Join me as we bid farewell to MTV UK in its more familiar guise, and a toast to these 13 names that passed the halls of their offices in Camden Town over the years.
5. Sara Cox
"Coxy" was another of the network’s bubbly personalities, first appearing in the mid-90s. Her infectious laugh and relatable on-screen persona made her a fan favourite. After MTV, she became a powerhouse of British radio, where she is a well-known voice and currently hosts the drivetime show on BBC Radio 2. | Gareth Davies/Getty Images
6. Vernon Kay
A face of the network in the early 2000s, Vernon Kay brought his laid-back charm to shows like T4 (on Channel 4, in collaboration with MTV) and TRL UK. Today, Kay is one of the most recognised voices in British radio, having taken over the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2 from the legendary Ken Bruce. | John Li/Getty Images
7. Edith Bowman
Edith Bowman (left) started her career as a newsreader for MTV UK before co-presenting Hitlist UK alongside Cat Deeley. Known for her deep love of music, she quickly became a respected broadcaster. She later moved to BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2, and continues to host her popular podcast, Soundtracking with Edith Bowman. | JMEnternational/Getty Images
8. Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe became a legendary figure on MTV UK, hosting shows like Brand Spanking New and Gonzo in the early 2000s. His passion for music and encyclopaedic knowledge earned him a massive following. He later moved to BBC Radio 1 and then made a high-profile jump to the US, where he is now the global creative director and a lead host for Apple Music. | Sam Jones/Avalon/Getty Images