Celebrity Juice is ending after 14 years on air as Leigh Francis confirms two farewell specials  

Celebrity Juice is ending after 14 years on the air.

The ITV2 comedy panel show – which has been hosted by Keith Lemon since its launch in 2008 – is coming to an end with two special episodes later in 2022.

Leigh Francis – who fronts the show as his outrageous character Keith – tweeted: ‘After 14 years, 26 series, 300 eps @CelebJuice is concluding later this year with two farewell specials.

The end: Celebrity Juice is ending later this year after 14 years on the air 

‘Thank you so so much to everyone who watched, to the team captains, guests, crew and itv2. ‘It was the longest most fun party! I had a wonderful time. Big love x (sic)’

The announcement was shared alongside a compilation video of classic moments from the show set to the classic song ‘Time to Say Goodbye’.

The show first aired in 2008 with Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby appearing as team captains, with Fearne quitting her role after ten years in 2018

She was replaced by Paddy McGuinness, and Mel B later taking his spot.

Host: Leigh Francis – who fronts the show as his X-rated character Keith – tweeted: ‘After 14 years, 26 series, 300 eps @CelebJuice is concluding later this year’

In 2020, Holly decided to step down after 12 years, while the current captains are The Inbetweeners’ star Emily Atack and Love Island host Laura Whitmore.

Last March Maya Jama joined as a regular panellist alongside team captains Emily and Laura.

Although the show originally focused on the week’s tabloid news stories, it would evolve as the celebrity guests were put through more over the top games and challenges.

ITV is yet to confirm details of the final two episodes – including potential lineups – but fans have already expressed their dismay at the show coming to an end.

One fan wrote: ‘One of the few shows that’s ever made me cry with laughter and unable to breathe at times! Thanks for the great memories!! (sic)’

Another said: ‘I’m absolutely gutted this is ending. But what a great run it’s had, Will definitely miss that on Thursday nights after the final 2 specials that air’.

And a different fan tweeted: ‘A bonkers but brilliant show, I’ve seen things on there I never thought I would! How the team came up with some of the ideas is beyond me. Thank you for the laughs. x (sic)’.

The format for the series was first suggested in 2007, after the final series of Leigh’s hugely successful Channel 4 sketch show Bo’ Selecta! aired.

ITV approached Leigh to create a show featuring his alter-ego Keith Lemon, and after the success of the five-part series Keith Lemon’s Very Brilliant World Tour, the channel commissioned Celebrity Juice. 

The original premise of the show was to see which team knows most about the week’s tabloid news stories 

In March Leigh revealed his Channel 4 show The Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft had been axed after one series because it’s ‘too expensive.’

The show, which aired in 2020, saw budding crafters go head-to-head in a bid to impress ‘factory boss’ Leigh, 48, and win celebrity commission with their speculator creations.

Speaking during an Instagram Q&A, the Celebrity Juice legend, who co-hosted the quirky show with Naked Attraction’s Anna Richardson, revealed: ‘No it won’t be back. I really enjoyed doing it but I think it was too expensive.’