2003 in British television

This is a list of British television-related events from 2003.

Events

=January=

1 January – The Studio closes after nearly two years on the air.{{cite news|first=Dan |last=Milmo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/dec/18/broadcasting1 |title=NTL/Vivendi movie channel closes |work=The Guardian |date=18 December 2002 |access-date=10 June 2012}}
2 January – BBC One airs Dot's Story, an EastEnders spin-off. It tells the story of Dot Branning's experiences as a wartime evacuee.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/PICK+OF+THE+BOX%3B+Martin+cops+a+new+role.-a096007651 |title=Pick of the Box; Martin cops a new role |newspaper=Daily Record |date=2 February 2003 |access-date=26 April 2014}}
3 January – CITV celebrates its twentieth birthday with the CITV Birthday Bash.{{cite web|title= CITV 20th Birthday Bash (2003) – FULL EPISODE |via= YouTube |date= 30 April 2016 |access-date= 18 March 2024 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie3CrZ1qyoU}}
4 January – ITV1 airs the first live edition of Blind Date, on which presenter Cilla Black announces she is quitting the show after 18 years. She later tells ITV bosses the programme should be shelved because of falling ratings which have dropped from 17 million at its peak to 4 million.{{cite news|first=John |last=Plunkett |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jan/06/broadcasting |title=Ditch Blind Date, urges Cilla |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 January 2003 |access-date=29 May 2014}}
6 January – Scottish and Grampian adopt the ITV celebrity idents package, introduced on 28 October 2002, albeit with their own logos attached and with idents featuring a lot more Scottish personalities alongside those of ITV1.
11 January
Girls Aloud singer and former Popstars: The Rivals contestant Cheryl Tweedy is involved in an altercation with a nightclub toilet attendant, Sophie Amogbokpa, in The Drink nightclub in Guildford. She is subsequently charged with racially aggravated assault after allegedly calling Amogbokpa a "jigaboo"{{cite news | date=13 January 2003 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2651617.stm | title=Girls Aloud star 'not a racist' | publisher=BBC News | access-date=29 March 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090228003920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2651617.stm| archive-date= 28 February 2009 | url-status= live}} and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3243309.stm |title=Singer Tweedy 'sorry' for assault |publisher=BBC |date=5 November 2003 |access-date=2 May 2014}}
Debut of Channel 4's The Salon, a fly-on-the-wall series documenting events in a purpose-built beauty salon in London.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Open+for+business%3B+The+Salon+Ch4,+9.00pm.-a096347787 |title=Open for business; The Salon Ch4, 9.00pm |newspaper=Daily Record |date=11 January 2003 |access-date=26 April 2014}} The series airs for three months, before returning for a second run in October. It finishes in March 2004.
Steven Spielberg's science-fiction miniseries Taken debuts on BBC Two.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/6d24d42b9f9e4408b8961851fcf29e58 |title=Taken – BBC Two – 11 January 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=10 March 2019}}
13 January
ITV1 soap Crossroads is relaunched under the stewardship of producer Yvon Grace and with a decidedly camp feel. However, Grace is criticised by fans for her ambivalence towards unresolved storylines from the 2001–2002 run.{{cite web|url=http://www.crossroadsnetwork.co.uk/society/story.htm |title=Crossroads Story – 1964 to 2003 |access-date=30 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521085259/http://www.crossroadsnetwork.co.uk/society/story.htm |archive-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}
Tracy Shaw makes her final appearance on Coronation Street as her character Maxine Peacock is brutally murdered by serial killer Richard Hillman.
15 January – Launch of Ftn and UK Bright Ideas.
28 January – Los Angeles-based police drama Boomtown debuts on Five.
31 January – The Campaign Week website reports that TBWA have used characters from the 1970s children's television show Hector's House for an ad campaign relaunching Virgin One bank account as The One account. The campaign has been created on behalf of the Royal Bank of Scotland which bought the name from Virgin and AMP in July 2001.{{cite news|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/169590/ |title=Hector's House relaunches The One |publisher=Campaign Live |date=31 January 2003 |access-date=4 May 2015}}

=February=

1 February
Postman Pat returns to CBeebies with a new series 6 years after the last series aired. The first episode is titled "Postman Pat and the Greendale Rocket": in the episode, The children set off on a school outing to the old Greendale Station and are very excited when they discover Greendale's old forgotten steam train, the Greendale Rocket. Everyone volunteers to get the station refurbished and back to operational condition. Pat and Ted try to get the engine working again with a new friend Ajay and his family.
BBC News airs coverage of The Space Shuttle Columbia explosion
3 February
The Martin Bashir documentary Living with Michael Jackson is broadcast on ITV1.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2723435.stm|title= Jackson defended over TV interview|publisher= BBC News|date= 4 February 2003|access-date= 24 April 2009}} The revelations of Jackson's controversial personal life in the programme is one of the many factors that leads to his trial for child molestation.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/MichaelJackson/story?id=564171 |title=Financial Trouble for Michael Jackson? |publisher=ABC News|location=United States |date=9 March 2005 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
Launch of Channel U.
4 February – Channel 4 News airs an interview conducted by veteran politician Tony Benn with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/2726831.stm |title=Full text of Benn interview with Saddam |publisher=BBC |date=4 February 2003 |access-date=15 March 2014}}
6 February – Prime Minister Tony Blair appears on BBC Two's Newsnight with Jeremy Paxman and a live audience where he is questioned about the Iraq crisis. Blair is taken aback when Paxman asks him about his Christian faith and whether he and US President George W. Bush have prayed together.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/2732979.stm |title=Transcript of Blair's Iraq interview |publisher=BBC |date=6 February 2003 |access-date=2 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27225422 |publisher=BBC News |title=Paxman's most memorable Newsnight encounters |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014}}
8 February – Phil Mitchell is to leave EastEnders later this year as Steve McFadden takes a break from the show.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2739361.stm|publisher=BBC News |title=Phil to quit EastEnders |date=8 February 2003|access-date=4 July 2020}}
9 February – After a long delay, BBC Choice is replaced by BBC Three. The opening night is simulcast on BBC Two.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26452235 |publisher=BBC News |title=BBC Three: From digital first to online only |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=5 March 2014}}
9–10 February – ITV1 screens the controversial two-part drama The Second Coming, set around the return to Earth of Jesus Christ in modern-day Manchester.{{note|review10}}Deans, Jason (10 February 2003). [http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,7965,892862,00.html Six million attend ITV's Second Coming]. Retrieved 30 May 2009.{{note|review11}}Gibson, Owen (11 February) 2003. [http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,7965,893405,00.html Viewers lose faith in Second Coming]. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
10 February – During an interview on ITV's This Morning, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees brands Graham Norton as scum after the comedian made a joke about the singer's late brother, Maurice on his Channel 4 chat show, V Graham Norton the day after his death.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2745333.stm |title=Entertainment | Bee Gee brands comic 'scum' |publisher=BBC News |date=10 February 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}}
12 February – In the weeks leading up to the Iraq War, the BBC screens a series of programmes examining the case for and against war. The centrepiece of this is Iraq Day: The Case For and Against War, a 90-minute programme on BBC One on that day. Presented by Peter Snow, the programme analyses the possible implications of a war in the Middle East and attempts to gauge public opinion on the subject with a viewers poll.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2692411.stm|title= BBC to host Iraq war debate|publisher= BBC News|date= 24 January 2003|access-date= 29 March 2009}}
20 February – The 2003 BRIT Awards are held at London's Earls Court. Two of the acts, Ms. Dynamite and Coldplay, use their awards acceptance speeches to criticise plans for US-led military action in Iraq.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2781653.stm |title=Entertainment | Brits winners attack war plans |publisher=BBC |date=21 February 2003 |access-date=25 April 2015}}
22 February – After an absence of six years, After Dark returns to television.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/01_january/28/after_dark.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=After Dark |date=28 January 2003 |access-date=28 April 2015}}
24 February
19.4 million watch Coronation Street as Richard Hillman confesses to the murder of Maxine Peacock.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2796201.stm |title=Street drama hits ratings high |publisher=BBC |date=25 February 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}} the highest rated show of the year.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3372245.stm |title=ITV1's Street heads 2003 ratings |publisher=BBC |date=7 January 2004 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
Mersey Television boss Phil Redmond criticises broadcasting watchdogs for forcing television to "dumb down" after the Independent Television Commission rules that episodes of Brookside that aired in November 2002 showing an armed siege had breached broadcasting regulations and were inappropriate for a pre-watershed audience.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2795587.stm |title=Brookside creator criticises watchdogs |publisher=BBC |date=24 February 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}}
26 February
BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2 featuring live performances from US rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2d9bff1e0748476080e649caa07b9c82|title=TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 26 February 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 October 2018}}
ITV police drama series The Bill introduces a new theme tune and opening titles.

=March=

3 March – Five airs Take Two: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See, the "rebuttal video" issued in response to the Martin Bashir documentary Living with Michael Jackson. Having previously been aired on Sky One, this airing of the programme is watched by 2.4 million viewers, enjoying a 9.8% audience share.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2801745.stm |title=Jackson reply draws 2.4m viewers |publisher=BBC |date=4 March 2003 |access-date=22 June 2014}}
5 March – BBC One airs Mandela: The Living Legend, a two-part documentary series whose film crew had six months of unprecedented access to Nelson Mandela.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f8d5e396412a4fe5811c9f6eb74f2e70|title=Mandela – the Living Legend – BBC One London – 5 March 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 November 2018}} The second part airs on 12 March.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a46f7d541a7d43db972e67d5d49f96f7|title=Mandela – the Living Legend – BBC One London – 12 March 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 November 2018}}
7 March
Singer George Michael makes his first appearance on BBC One's Top of the Pops in 17 years, with a cover of Don McLean's protest song The Grave, but runs into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some members of his band.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2828485.stm |title=Michael accuses BBC in war row |publisher=BBC |date=7 March 2003 |access-date=26 December 2016}}
EastEnders announces the casting of a new family, the Ferreiras who will be the first Asian family to join the soap for a decade. They will move to Albert Square in the Summer.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2829985.stm |title=New EastEnders family announced |publisher=BBC |date=7 March 2003 |access-date=17 June 2014}}
8 March – Debut of ITV1's Reborn in the USA, a reality show in which ten British pop acts of the 1980s and 1990s tour the United States in the hope of reviving their careers. Those participating in the series include Sonia Evans, Leee John, Michelle Gayle and Tony Hadley. The show has already prompted controversy after Mark Shaw of Then Jericho decided to quit the series shortly before it went on air.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2821039.stm |title=Singer quits 'has-beens' TV show |publisher=BBC |date=5 March 2003 |access-date=6 April 2014}}
9 March
Teletext's often surreal and acerbic games magazine, Digitiser is published for the final time after ten years on air. The magazine is replaced the following day by GameCentral which features less of the humour favoured by its predecessor.
The 1982 American horror slasher film Friday the 13th Part III makes its UK television debut on ITV1 as part of the channel's Sunday night lineup.
10 March – Channel 4 is reprimanded by the Independent Television Commission for showing a documentary in which a Chinese artist appeared to eat a stillborn baby which the watchdog felt demonstrated a "lack of respect for human dignity". Graham Norton is also criticised for his joke about the late Maurice Gibb.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2837211.stm |title='Baby-eating' show censured |publisher=BBC |date=10 March 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}}
11 March – The BBC ends the deal with Sky Digital under which BBC channels are carried exclusively by Sky, meaning that satellite viewers will be able to watch BBC content without a viewing card. The changes will take effect from 30 May.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2843069.stm |title=BBC ends Sky digital deal |publisher=BBC |date=12 March 2003 |access-date=21 April 2014}}
12 March
ITV announce that Cat Deeley will take over as presenter of the junior version of Stars in Their Eyes because regular host Matthew Kelly will be busy touring as part of a stage production when the series is scheduled to be recorded.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2842441.stm |title=Deeley takes Kelly's Stars role |publisher=BBC |date=12 March 2003 |access-date=9 April 2014}}
The climax to the Richard Hillman plot in Coronation Street is aired in which the serial killer attempts to kill himself and his wife Gail Platt and her children by driving their people carrier into the local canal. The conclusion marks the exit of the actor Brian Capron, who played Richard, from the soap.
14 March – Highlights of BBC One's 2003 Comic Relief fundraiser include Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, the Red Nose Special and Rowan Atkinson and Lenny Henry in the spoof documentary Lying to Michael Jackson.{{cite news|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/2003-03-14 |title=BBC One London – 14 March 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=12 November 2016}}
19 March
Procter & Gamble announces it is ending its Daz Doorstep Challenge advertising campaign after ten years, feeling it is "old fashioned". It will be replaced with the soap-opera style campaign Cleaner Close.{{cite news|first=Claire |last=Cozens |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/mar/19/advertising |title=Daz slams door on 'old-fashioned' ads |newspaper=The Guardian |date=19 March 2003 |access-date=3 March 2014}}{{cite news|last=Solley |first=Sam |url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/174498/daz-winds-ten-years-doorstep-challenge |title=Daz winds up ten years of 'doorstep challenge' |work=Marketing Magazine |date=20 March 2003 |access-date=3 March 2014}}
BBC Three airs American Psycho, Mary Harron's black comedy based on the novel of the same name by Brett Easton Ellis.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c8663d762d324fada88d01c30b111857|title=American Psycho – BBC Three – 19 March 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 October 2018}}
20 March
As the 2003 invasion of Iraq begins, many broadcasters adjust their regular schedules to provide up to date coverage of unfolding events. BBC One's news programmes are all slightly extended in length in addition to blanket coverage on BBC News 24 across each day. ITV moves its main evening bulletin forward by an hour to 9pm, anchored by Trevor McDonald live from nearby Kuwait, and abandons its usual overnight schedule to provide a through the night simulcast of the ITV News Channel during the war.
George McGhee is appointed as Controller of BBC Programme Acquisition and will take up the position from early April.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/03_march/20/george_mcghee.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=George McGhee appointed Controller, Programme Acquisition |date=20 March 2003 |access-date=28 April 2015}}
22 March – ITN journalist Terry Lloyd is killed while covering the events of the Iraq War after he and his team of two cameramen and an interpreter are caught in a crossfire during fighting near the Shatt Al Basra Bridge in Basra.{{cite news| title=Cameraman's fate remains unsolved| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5408076.stm| access-date=29 March 2009 | publisher=BBC News | date=4 October 2006}} between US and Iraqi forces. His body and that of his Lebanese interpreter, Hussein Osman, are recovered and it is later discovered they were both shot by United States forces.{{cite news| title=Lloyd shot dead by US troops, inquest told| url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1889272,00.html| access-date=29 March 2009| first=Leigh | last=Holmwood | work=The Guardian | location=London | date=6 October 2006}}
23 March – The Truth, the season nine finale of The X-Files and the last episode in the series original run, makes its terrestrial television debut on BBC Two.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/ef566d062a2643a99eaadb8b02a379ab |title=The X-Files – BBC Two – 23 March 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=19 July 2019}}
26 March – BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams criticises BBC News coverage of the Iraq war in a memo to bosses, describing the coverage as painting an untruthful picture.{{cite news|first=Jason |last=Deans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/mar/26/bbc.Iraqandthemedia |title=BBC man criticises 'war bias' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=26 March 2003 |access-date=28 April 2015}}
28 March – Debut of Extraordinary People on Five, each programme follows the lives of people with a rare medical condition and/or an unusual ability, many of these people do activities previously thought impossible for people in their condition.
30 March – Channel 4 News reporter Gaby Rado is found dead in Iraq, having apparently fallen from the roof of the Abu Sanaa hotel in the northern city of Sulaymaniyah. His death is believed to be unconnected to the ongoing military campaign in that country.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2900379.stm |title=Channel 4 reporter dies in Iraq |publisher=BBC |date=30 March 2003 |access-date=6 April 2014}}
31 March
Birkbeck, University of London wins the 2002–03 series of University Challenge, beating Cranfield University 180–155.
Carlton Cinema goes off the air and is the last Carlton channel to close.{{cite news |url=http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/carlton_select.html |title=Carlton Select |publisher=TVARK |access-date=28 April 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190346/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/carlton_select.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}

=April=

5 April – BBC Two launches The Big Read, a nationwide search for Britain's favourite book. The project is designed to encourage the nation to read, while people will be asked to vote for their favourite novel.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/03_march/14/big_read.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=The Big Read |date=14 March 2003 |access-date=23 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/03_march/19/bbc2_springsum.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=BBC TWO Spring / Summer season 2003 |date=19 March 2003 |access-date=23 May 2014}}
7 April
Children's program Balamory returns for its second series on CBeebies, with Julie Wilson Nimmo, Buki Akib, Miles Jupp, Juliet Cadzow, Andrew Agnew, Rodd Christensen, Mary Riggans and Kim Tserkezie all reprising their roles. In the first episode called "The Lost Letter", Spencer finds out Miss Hoolie didn't get the invitation to a surprise party for herself, so he asks PC Plum to look for the invitation before the party.
Following a trial at Southwark Crown Court lasting seven weeks, the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? contestant Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and Tecwen Whittock are convicted by a majority verdict of "procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception". The Ingrams are each given 18-month prison sentences suspended for two years, each are fined £15,000 and each ordered to pay £10,000 towards prosecution costs.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2896743.stm|title= Cheating to win £1m|publisher= BBC News|date= 7 April 2003|access-date= 29 March 2009}} This is later increased to a joint £65,000 fine, but following another hearing in 2004 this is reduced to £30,00 due to them having financial difficulties. Charles Ingram is declared bankrupt in December 2004.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/4080191.stm |title=Game show cheat Ingram bankrupt |publisher=BBC |date=8 December 2004 |access-date=14 April 2018}} Their quiz deception later becomes the subject of Quiz, a 2017 play written by James Graham,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43700097 |title=Millionaire cough scandal: 'The most British crime of all time' |publisher=BBC News |date=12 April 2018 |access-date=14 April 2018}} which is then subsequently turned into a three-part mini-serial on television in 2020.
Granada Television announce that Jonathan Wilkes is to replace Lisa Riley as host of You've Been Framed!.
8 April – Teenage singer Charlotte Church will guest present an edition of Have I Got News for You when the programme returns for a new series, the BBC confirms. At 17, she will become the youngest person to present the show. Other guest presenters in the forthcoming series which begins on 25 April, will include Martin Clunes and William Hague.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/04_april/08/hignfy_charlottechurch.shtml |title=Press Office – Charlotte Church to present Have I Got News For You |publisher=BBC |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=13 January 2018}}{{cite web|author=Ian Hislop |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/hignfy-hosts |title=Have I Got News For You celebrates 10 years of guest hosts – Media Centre |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 January 2018}}
10 April – Channel 5's Milkshake! debuts hit Australian kids series Hi-5 that proved to be a huge success. Naomi Wilkinson speaks to presenter Nathan Foley to ask the viewers' questions.
14 April
The children's series Boohbah debuts on CITV.
Debut of 99 Things to do Before You Die on Five in which four people (Syirin Said, Steve Jones, Alexandra Aitken and Rob Deering) take on challenges from around the world. The series continues with a compilation of the best moments on 2 June and it was later repeated on Sky Travel until 2005.
20 April – Sky One airs the 300th episode of The Simpsons.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a10956/sky-one-celebrates-300th-simpsons.html#~oErFsCVHTdTkQX |title=Sky One celebrates 300th 'Simpsons' – TV News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=20 April 2003 |access-date=19 May 2014}}
21 April – Channel 4 airs the 1000th episode of Hollyoaks.{{cite news|title=Double trouble; Hollyoaks clocks up its 1,000th episode this week, but co-stars Elize du Toit and Laila Rouass reveal that being a soap babe is no guarantee of a happy love life. In fact, they reckon it makes men run a mile.|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Double+trouble%3b+Hollyoaks+clocks+up+its+1%2c000th+episode+this+week%2c...-a0100286362|access-date=17 September 2011|newspaper=Daily Mirror|date=19 April 2003}}
26 April – Former Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley wins ITV1's Reborn in the USA.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2979525.stm |title=Hadley wins Reborn contest |publisher=BBC |date=27 April 2003 |access-date=6 April 2014}}
27 April – After more than 23 years on the air, the final edition of soap opera Take the High Road is broadcast by STV.
29 April – The BBC rejects viewer complaints that its documentary, The Virgin Mary which was aired shortly before Christmas 2002 had tried to undermine religious beliefs. Complaints about a gay kiss in Casualty that aired in January are also rejected.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2985375.stm |title=Virgin Mary complaints rejected |publisher=BBC |date=29 April 2003 |access-date=23 August 2015}}

=May=

1 May – The Heroes Channel and The Games Channel both launch on VTV Cable.
2 May – The BBC announces that the character of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) will return to EastEnders later this year, 14 years after departing in an episode where the character was believed to have died as a result of being shot. They also announce that the 2000 Olympic Games would be re shown.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2997627.stm |title=Dirty Den returns to EastEnders |publisher=BBC |date=2 May 2003 |access-date=26 April 2014}}
10 May
The 2003 British Soap Awards, aired by ITV1 on 14 May, are presented in London by Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes, during which actor Dean Sullivan is presented with a Special Achievement Award for his role as Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3017361.stm |title=Street sweeps soap awards |publisher=BBC |date=10 May 2003 |access-date=26 April 2014}}{{cite news|first=Rachel |last=Murphy |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview%3A+Dean+Sullivan+-+Dean's+soap+sorrow%3B+Dean+Sullivan+reveals...-a0103881582 |title=Interview: Dean Sullivan – Dean's soap sorrow; Dean Sullivan reveals why the end of Brookside in November will be like losing an old friend |newspaper=The Mirror |date=21 June 2003 |access-date=26 April 2014}} In a press interview held after the event, Sullivan urges Channel 4 not to axe Brookside, saying it "would be mad" to do so.{{cite news|url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Brookie+boys+who+shone+at+soap+awards+show%3B+TONIGHT+the+nation...-a0101743730|title= The Brookie boys who shone at soap awards show|work= Liverpool Echo|first= Rachael|last= Tinniswood|date= 14 May 2003|access-date=26 April 2014}}
BBC Two airs the network television premiere of Luc Besson's 1999 French epic film version of Joan of Arc, starring Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman and Tchéky Karyo.
11 May – The Observer reports that the BBC is to cut back on the number of self-promotional trailers following complaints from viewers and rival broadcasters. The newspaper also reports that the broadcasting of an ad for the BBC's digital service which featured the character of Fizz from the Tweenies pulling off her face to reveal June Brown as Dot Cotton from EastEnders had to be put back to a later time slot because some viewers complained it was giving their children nightmares.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/may/11/bbc.broadcasting|title=BBC to cut its back-patting trailers after viewers find them a turn-off|last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|date=11 May 2003|work=The Guardian|location=London |access-date=21 August 2014}}
12 May – Former cricketer Phil Tufnell wins the second series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3019455.stm |title=Millions see Tufnell crowned |publisher=BBC |date=12 May 2003 |access-date=23 April 2014}}
13 May
Docudrama The Day Britain Stopped airs on BBC Two. It is based on a fictional disaster on 19 December 2003, in which a train strike is the first in a chain of events that lead to a meltdown of the country's transport system ending with a plane collision.
A teaser trailer for that year's Rugby World Cup is shown on ITV1, The tournament would start on 10 October.
14 May
Five have acquired the UK terrestrial television rights to the American supernatural drama Angel after Channel 4 dropped the programme from its schedule. The series makes its debut on Five on 2 June.
BBC Two re airs the 2000 Olympic Games.
15 May – Kevin Kennedy is to leave Coronation Street in the Autumn after playing Curly Watts for 20 years, it is reported. The character will be involved in a dramatic storyline about police brutality and the door will be left open for him to return at a later date.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3032045.stm |title=Curly leaves the Street |publisher=BBC |date=15 May 2003 |access-date=24 July 2014}}
17 May – Following a public vote to find the UK's favourite book, the BBC's The Big Read reveals the top 100 in a special programme on BBC Two while BBC One airs the 2003 FA Cup Final.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/04_april/16/big_read_top100.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=The Big Read top 100 |date=16 April 2003 |access-date=23 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/05_may/17/big_read.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=The Big Read Top 100 |date=17 May 2003 |access-date=23 May 2014}}
18 May – Five airs the network television premiere of Brian Levant's 2000 prehistoric comedy prequel film The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, starring Mark Addy, Stephen Baldwin, Kristen Johnston, Jane Krakowski, Thomas Gibson, Alan Cumming and Joan Collins.
19 May – Bollywood actor Dalip Tahil who will play the head of the Ferreira family in EastEnders, speaks out against criticism from British Asian actors who said the part should have gone to a UK-based actor.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3040829.stm |title=Indian actor hits back in soap row |publisher=BBC |date=19 May 2003 |access-date=17 June 2014}}
20 May
Steve Anderson, ITV's controller of news, announces plans to move News at Ten because the programme is losing out on viewers in the 10pm slot where it goes head-to-head with the BBC Ten O'Clock News.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3042919.stm |title=ITV prepares to move news |publisher=BBC |date=20 May 2003 |access-date=28 April 2014}}
During what is meant to be a commercial break, Friendly TV accidentally broadcasts a conversation between members of its News Hound team who make allegations about aspects of Nicole Kidman's private life.{{cite news|last=Lewis Smith|first=Victor|title=Reality behind naff TV|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Victor+Lewis-Smith's+column%3A+Reality+behind+naff+TV%3B+HE+NEEDS+A...-a0102237096|newspaper=The Mirror|publisher=MGN ltd.|date=24 May 2003|access-date=5 March 2014}}
21 May – Five announce a new chat show which it hopes will rival ITV1's This Morning. The Terry and Gaby Show, presented by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin will debut on 2 June.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Chat+show+has+gift+of+the+Gaby.-a0102136757 |title=Chat show has gift of the Gaby |newspaper=Daily Record |date=22 May 2003 |access-date=8 May 2014}}
22 May – Prompted by their manager, four members of the pop group S Club storm out of an interview on BBC Three's Liquid News when presenter Claudia Winkleman asks them about their earnings.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2930974.stm |title=S Club walk out on interview |publisher=BBC |date=23 May 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
23 May – ITV1, Channel 4, Five and other channels air an advert of Barclays with Samuel L. Jackson taking on "Money Moving Smoothly" and features a close-up shot of Rachel Stevens' legs walking on the pavement.
24 May – Jemini, the UK's entry for the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest receives Britain's worst Eurovision result after failing to attract a single point.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2935874.stm |title=UK act hits Eurovision low |publisher=BBC |date=25 May 2003 |access-date=3 June 2012}} The contest, staged in Riga, is won by Turkey's Sertab Erener with Everyway That I Can.
29 May – Toons & Tunes is rebranded as POP.
30 May – ITV1 broadcasts the final episode of Crossroads after the series was axed due to declining ratings. The finale sees hotel boss Angel Sampson, played by Jane Asher, waking up to find she is a supermarket checkout girl and that her tenure as boss of the Crossroads Hotel was all a dream.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2943502.stm|title= Crossroads 'was all a dream'|publisher= BBC News|date= 30 May 2003|access-date= 27 April 2009}}
31 May
Laura Jenkins, performing as Connie Francis wins the second junior series of Stars in Their Eyes.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Starry-eyedLaura+wins.-a0102676338 |title=Starry-eyed Laura wins |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=2 June 2003 |access-date=27 April 2014}}
Cilla Black presents the final edition of Blind Date, having announced her intention to quit the long-running game show in January.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2949692.stm |title=Cilla bows out of Blind Date |publisher=BBC |date=31 May 2003 |access-date=29 May 2014}} A change in the show's format is one of the factors in her decision to leave the show.{{cite news|last=Bushby |first=Helen |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2949842.stm |title=Cilla's Blind Date success story |publisher=BBC |date=30 May 2003 |access-date=29 May 2014}}

=June=

3 June – The Ferreiras make their EastEnders debut, becoming the first Asian family to join the soap since 1993 when Sanjay and Gita Kapoor arrived on screen.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2958910.stm |title=Asian family enters Albert Square |publisher=BBC |date=3 June 2003 |access-date=17 June 2014}}
4 June – It is reported that former Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker suffered a fractured ankle in a skydiving accident the previous weekend while filming a new series, Drop the Celebrity for ITV1.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jun/04/1 |title=Media Guardian Briefing: June 4 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 June 2003 |access-date=28 April 2015}}
5 June – ITV1 airs the final episode of Night and Day.{{cite news|first=Claire |last=Cozens |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jun/06/overnights |title=TV ratings: June 5 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 June 2003 |access-date=18 June 2014}}
9 June – The Muslim Council of Britain has complained about a recent episode of Spooks that featured a mosque at which people are taught to be suicide bombers after Birmingham's Central Mosque was defaced following the episode's transmission. The BBC says it has received no evidence that the incident is linked to the programme.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2975478.stm |title=TV 'Muslim plot' sparks complaints |publisher=BBC |date=9 June 2003 |access-date=5 April 2014}}
10 June – Bruce Forsyth is confirmed as the host of the final episode of the latest series of Have I Got News for You. Since adopting its guest presenter format late last year, the series has enjoyed a ratings boost, meaning the BBC has put plans to find a permanent replacement for Angus Deayton on hold.{{cite news|first1=Jason |last1=Deans |first2=Chris |last2=Tryhorn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jun/10/broadcasting.bbc |title=Forsyth boost for BBC news quiz |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 June 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}} The episode presented by Forsyth famously includes him playing a game of Play Your Iraqi Cards Right, a twist on the format of the game show presented by him, but using a pack of Iraqi playing cards instead of a traditional deck.{{cite web|author=Mark Lawson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/aug/18/didnt-he-do-well-how-bruce-forsyth-made-saturday-nights-swing |title=Didn't he do well: how Bruce Forsyth made Saturday nights swing | Television & radio |work=The Guardian|date=18 August 2017 |access-date=13 January 2018}}
11 June
The shopping channel Price-drop.tv is launched.
Channel 4 announces that its long-running soap Brookside will end in November.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2982768.stm |title=Brookside is finally axed |publisher=BBC |date=11 June 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}}
12 June
A storyline involving the Coronation Street character Todd Grimshaw who rejected a place at Oxford University because his girlfriend said she would not follow him there, is criticised by the Sutton Trust, an organisation that encourages children from poorer backgrounds to apply to top universities. The Trust says it is disappointed as the storyline sends out the wrong message to children watching the soap. The issue also highlights the small number of soap characters who attend university.{{cite news|last=Harrison |first=Angela |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2984434.stm |title=Soap storyline gets a black mark |publisher=BBC |date=12 June 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}}
Sky1 airs the final episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3043697.stm |title=Buffy's final slaying |publisher=BBC |date=21 May 2003 |access-date=19 July 2019}} BBC Two airs the episode on 18 December.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c9669a61b425492db8fbf2329998d353 |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer – BBC Two – 18 December 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=19 July 2019}}
17 June – BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2 dedicated to the record producer Mickie Most who died on 30 May.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1ce143c840e24f918366ece15c197c70|title=TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 17 June 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 October 2018}}
19 June – Actress Laura Sadler who plays Sandy Harper in Holby City, dies in hospital after she fell from a block of flats in west London a few days earlier. She sustained extensive head injuries as a result of the fall and had not regained consciousness. A subsequent inquest held at West London Coroner's Court records a verdict of accidental death.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3080766.stm |title=Sadler death 'ruled accidental' |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2003 |access-date=19 May 2014}}
20 June – The final edition of Play Your Cards Right is broadcast on ITV with Bruce Forsyth as presenter which in turn also marks the end of the final series of the game show to air on ITV. It has returned for one-off specials, presented by Ant & Dec on 15 October 2005 and Vernon Kay on 26 May 2007 as part of the series Gameshow Marathon.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Play_Your_Cards_Right |title=Play Your Cards Right |publisher=UK Game Shows |access-date=18 August 2017}}
22 June – ITV1 announces that it has axed the long-running Saturday night game show Blind Date.{{cite web|last=Wilkes |first=Neil |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a11265/itv-gives-blind-date-the-axe/ |title=ITV gives 'Blind Date' the axe |publisher=Digital Spy |date=22 June 2003 |access-date=13 January 2018}}
25 June
Channel 4 Director of Television Tim Gardam announces he will step down from the job after five years, departing at the end of the year.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3021918.stm |title=Channel 4 boss steps down |publisher=BBC |date=26 June 2003 |access-date=22 June 2014}}
A viewer complaint about an edition of Channel 4's V Graham Norton in which Dustin Hoffman told a joke which included a taboo word is upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Commission. ITV's Tonight is also censured after airing an interview with a pregnant teenager which was perceived to have been of an exploitative nature because her predicament had largely come about because of a lack of knowledge.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3019222.stm |title=Norton rapped for Hoffman joke |publisher=BBC |date=25 June 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}}
28 June
ITV1 records one of its worst ever Saturday night audiences when coverage of the 2003 Wimbledon Championships is extended on BBC One.{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itv-axes-judgement-day/1122512.article |title=ITV axes Judgement Day |publisher=Broadcast |date=14 July 2003 |access-date=18 June 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3033066.stm |title=Henman blamed for ITV slump |publisher=BBC |date=30 June 2003 |access-date=18 June 2014}}
The game show Judgement Day premieres on ITV1, hosted by Brian Conley. It is cancelled after two episodes due to very low ratings.
29 June – ITV1's holiday series Wish You Were Here...? airs for the last time.
June – Grampian Television's Aberdeen headquarters move to new smaller studios in the city's Tullos area.

=July=

2 July – Lawyers representing Michael Barrymore who was dropped by London Weekend Television in September 2002 confirm he will take legal action against the broadcaster for an unpaid salary. He has largely been absent from television since news concerning the death of a man during a party at his property broke in 2001, although a series of My Kind of Music aired in February 2002.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3037792.stm |title=Barrymore sues for TV wages |publisher=BBC |date=2 July 2003 |access-date=2 May 2014}}
4 July – The mid-afternoon regional news bulletin is moved from BBC Two to BBC One.
7 July – Mastermind returns to television for its first full series since 1997 with John Humphrys taking over the role of quizmaster.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jul/08/overnights |title=TV ratings: July 7 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=8 July 2003 |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite news|last=Morrison |first=James |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ive-started-so-ill-finish-why-is-your-mastermind-subject-so-daft-94958.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ive-started-so-ill-finish-why-is-your-mastermind-subject-so-daft-94958.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=I've started, so I'll finish: why is your 'Mastermind' subject so daft? |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 July 2003 |access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}
8 July – The Independent Television Commission rejects complaints from the relatives of a victim of Dr. Harold Shipman that ITV's 2002 film about the serial killer was factually inaccurate. The Commission finds that although artistic licence was taken in some scenes, these had been "sympathetically presented" and were therefore not detrimental to the victim's family.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3055558.stm |title=Shipman TV complaints rejected |publisher=BBC |date=8 July 2003 |access-date=5 April 2014}}
9 July – ITV1 drops two recently launched programmes from its primetime schedule because of poor ratings. The game show Judgement Day and comedy series Fortysomething, starring Hugh Laurie will air elsewhere in the schedule.{{cite news|last=Methven |first=Nicola |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ITV+axe+two+top+slot+flops.-a0105039960 |title=ITV axe two top slot flops |newspaper=The Mirror |date=10 July 2003 |access-date=18 June 2014}}
16 July – BBC One airs the final edition of Tomorrow's World.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3bbaa7f998a34942bbe7c64ca0b2214b|title=Tomorrow's World Roadshows 2003 – BBC One London – 16 July 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 November 2018}} It will be fifteen years later in 2018 before a new edition of the programme is broadcast.{{cite news|first=Tara |last=Conlan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/nov/03/bbc-to-reboot-tomorrows-world-for-one-off-live-special |title=BBC to reboot Tomorrow's World for one-off live special |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}}
17 July
The Communications Act 2003 receives Royal Assent.{{cite news|url= https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/2003/jul/17/royal-assent |title=House of Lords Debate: 17 July 2003: Royal Assent |work=Hansard: HL Deb 17 July 2003 vol 651 c965|date=17 July 2003|access-date=5 April 2014}}
In its final annual report, the Broadcasting Standards Commission reveals that an episode of the BBC spy drama Spooks in which a character's head is pushed into a vat of boiling oil was the most complained about television programme during the past year.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3073921.stm |title=Spy show draws record complaints |publisher=BBC |date=17 July 2003 |access-date=5 April 2014}}
Trevor Hyett steps down as editor of Five's The Terry and Gaby Show to work on other projects. His post will be taken over by the show's producer, James Winter. The programme has struggled in the ratings since its launch, but Five which has commissioned 200 editions of the series, says it will not cancel the show.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3074377.stm |title=Wogan TV show editor quits |publisher=BBC |date=17 July 2003 |access-date=8 May 2014}}
18 July – Sky News reporter James Forlong resigns following allegations a story shown in March involving the Iraq conflict was faked.{{cite news|first=Jason |last=Deans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jul/18/iraqandthemedia.tvnews |title=Sky News reporter quits over bogus Iraq story | MediaGuardian |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 July 2003 |access-date=6 April 2014}}
20 July – The BBC confirms that Dr David Kelly, found dead from a suspected suicide two days ago, was the main source for a controversial report that sparked a deep rift with the government.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/20/newsid_3798000/3798761.stm |publisher=BBC On This Day |title=BBC admits Kelly was 'main source' |date=20 July 2003 |access-date=6 April 2014}}
25 July
Lord Currie is named as the first chairman of Ofcom.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2150739.stm |title=Peer named media watchdog chief |publisher=BBC |date=25 July 2002 |access-date=5 April 2014}}
Cameron Stout wins the fourth series of Big Brother.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3093737.stm |title=Cameron wins Big Brother 4 |publisher=BBC |date=25 July 2003 |access-date=2 April 2014}}
28 July – Tabloid television station L!VE TV is relaunched on Sky Digital.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3102195.stm |title=Live TV revived for Sky viewers |publisher=BBC |date=28 July 2003 |access-date=19 May 2014}}

=August=

8 August – The BBC regains the broadcasting rights to show Premier League Football highlights from ITV after signing a three-year deal with them. The deal will take effect from the start of the 2004–05 season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3134163.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |title=Premiership back on the BBC |date=8 August 2003 |access-date=21 April 2014}}
10 August – Channel 4 airs the British terrestrial television premiere of Straw Dogs.
18 August – In an interview with Radio Times, presenter Noel Edmonds says that he is partly responsible for the decline in the standards of British television after his BBC One show, Noel's House Party, went downhill after budget cuts.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3160859.stm |title=Edmonds admits part in TV decline |publisher=BBC |date=18 August 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}}
21 August – ITV announces that its Saturday morning children's entertainment series SMTV Live will end after five years because of falling ratings and will be replaced by a new series in early 2004.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3170041.stm |title=SM:tv dropped by ITV |publisher=BBC |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
27 August – The BBC defends its decision to spend £10 million on the broadcast rights for the first Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, saying that its rivals were unprepared to invest in family viewing at Christmas. The film is part of a ten film package agreed with Warner Bros.{{cite news|last=Born |first=Matt |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1439859/BBC-defends-10m-for-Harry-Potter.html |title=BBC defends £10m for Harry Potter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 August 2003 |access-date=26 May 2014}}
28 August – ITV ceases transmission of the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street due to the regional afternoon slot which the show occupied becoming networked.
29 August
Research by Human Capital indicate that Saturday night television is now the least watched evening of television in the UK, with Monday nights being the most popular.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3190783.stm |title=Saturday night TV least popular |publisher=BBC |date=29 August 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}}
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first episode of the long-running game show Blockbusters.

=September=

2 September
Laura Sadler's final scenes as Holby City nurse Sandy Harper are screened on the BBC One drama. Her character's exit from the series, devised by her mother and the show's producers, sees her secretly leaving the hospital for Australia after winning the lottery.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3200311.stm |title=Holby bids farewell to Sadler |publisher=BBC |date=3 September 2003 |access-date=19 May 2014}}
At Home with the Eubanks debuts on Five.
ITV1 airs the British terrestrial television premiere of Mission to Mars.
8 September – CNX is shut down and is replaced by Toonami.
13 September – The Smash Hits Chart Show returns to television. Previously on Five, the weekly 30-minute show makes its debut on Channel 4 as part of the T4 strand.
15 September
Channel 4 moves long-running game show Countdown from 4:15pm to 3:15pm, leading to questions being asked in Parliament and the launch of petitions to have it rescheduled back to its old slot.{{cite web|url=http://index579f.html/?page_id=1217|title=2003 : Off The Telly|access-date=23 January 2019}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
BBC One moves the 4th episode of sitcom Trevor's World of Sport from Friday evening just after the 9:00pm watershed to Monday night after the 10:00pm news at short notice, leading to a public expression of displeasure by the show's creator, Andy Hamilton.
18 September – Peter Amory makes his final appearance as Chris Tate in Emmerdale after 14 years.
19 September – Channel 4 confirms that its breakfast show RI:SE will end in December; it is being axed because of low ratings.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3123474.stm |title=Channel 4 axes breakfast show |publisher=BBC |date=19 September 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
21 September – BBC One airs Perfectly Frank, an EastEnders spin-off episode featuring the character Frank Butcher establishing a nightclub in Somerset.{{cite news|last=McMullen |first=Marion |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WEEKEND%3A+WEEKEND+TV%3A+SUNDAY+TV.-a0107990822 |title=Weekend: Weekend TV: Sunday TV |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=20 September 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Box%3A+Being+Frank.-a0107992155 |title=The Box: Being Frank |newspaper=Sunday Mercury |date=21 September 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}{{cite news|last=Shelley |first=Jim |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SHELLEY+VISION%3A+To+be+Perfectly+Frank,+it+stank.-a0108027635 |title=To be Perfectly Frank, it stank |newspaper=The Mirror |date=23 September 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
25 September – The Daily Telegraph newspaper is the first to announce the return of the popular sci-fi drama series Doctor Who after a 14-year break. It wIlL return to television in March 2005.{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1442528/Doctor-Who-ready-to-come-out-of-the-Tardis-for-Saturday-TV-series.html|title= Doctor Who ready to come out of the Tardis for Saturday TV series|work= The Daily Telegraph|first= Tom|last= Leonard|date= 25 September 2003|access-date= 3 July 2009 | location=London}}
27 September – EastEnders is aired for the last time on BBC America. The programme is being axed because of poor ratings that are losing the channel most of its viewers.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3149876.stm |title=EastEnders switched off in US |publisher=BBC |date=29 September 2003 |access-date=17 July 2014}}
29 September – Den Watts makes his return to EastEnders in an episode watched by 16 million viewers.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3151484.stm |title=Sixteen million watch Den's return |publisher=BBC |date=30 September 2003 |access-date=2 May 2014}} Also today, EastEnders wins best soap at the Inside Soap Awards.

=October=

2 October – ITV is given permission by the Independent Television Commission to move its 10pm news bulletin to 10:30pm. Since returning in 2001, News at Ten has aired on at least three nights a week, but analysts have noted that not having a fixed time for a weekday news bulletin is unsettling for viewers and advertisers. The ITC feels a regular news bulletin at 10:30pm will be in viewers interests.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3159350.stm |title=ITV gets news move go-ahead |publisher=BBC |date=2 October 2003 |access-date=28 April 2014}}
4 October – Alex Parks wins the second series of Fame Academy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/10_october/04/academy_winner.shtml |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=Fame Academy winner|date=4 October 2003 |access-date=4 April 2014}}
5 October
Coronation Street shows its first gay kiss.{{cite news|last=Osborn |first=Michael |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3161268.stm |title=Gay life finally hits Corrie's cobbles |publisher=BBC |date=5 October 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}}
Psychological illusionist Derren Brown controversially plays Russian roulette live on Channel 4, though with a slight delay allegedly in case the stunt went wrong. The stunt is later revealed to have been a hoax.{{cite news |title=Magician defends gun stunt fake |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/08/handgun.stunt/ |publisher=CNN |date=8 October 2003 |access-date=30 May 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090607140832/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/08/handgun.stunt/| archive-date= 7 June 2009 | url-status= live}}
6 October – After BBC America axed EastEnders due to "abysmal ratings", almost 9,000 people have signed a petition calling on the channel to reinstate the show, BBC News reports.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3167048.stm |title=Protest grows over EastEnders axe |publisher=BBC |date=6 October 2003 |access-date=17 July 2014}}
8 October – Delivering the Bafta Annual Lecture, ITV's head of programming, Nigel Pickard says that he is prepared to "bite the bullet" and drop poorly performing programmes and ageing presenters from its schedule, stating that "the days when you can tuck something into a little corner of peak against Panorama and hope it grows an audience" have gone.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3176818.stm |title=ITV boss warns of programme axe |publisher=BBC |date=9 October 2003 |access-date=18 June 2014}}
10 October
Just over a year after returning to EastEnders, Sid Owen who plays Ricky Butcher in the soap, is to leave again, it is announced.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3179884.stm |title=Ricky dropped by EastEnders again |publisher=BBC |date=10 October 2003 |access-date=26 May 2015}}
ITV begins to air live coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup with the opening game, in which Australia plays Argentina at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
15 October
BBC One airs the 2000 horror thriller Cherry Falls, starring Brittany Murphy and Michael Biehn.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2cf20fcc2e264808a93604ba69dba4fa|title=Cherry Falls – BBC One London – 15 October 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 October 2018}}
BBC Two airs the documentary When Michael Portillo Became a Single Mum in which former Defence Secretary Michael Portillo assumes the mantle of Merseyside single mother Jenny Miner for a week.{{cite web|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/06f6f778dffd4e3a8c43f9dd0488bd3f |title=When Michael Portillo Became a Single Mum – BBC Two England – 15 October 2003 – BBC Genome |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/oldott/www.offthetelly.co.uk/indexd8dc.html?p=4585 |title=When Michael Portillo Became a Single Mum |publisher=Off The Telly |access-date=13 January 2018}}
Plans are announced for the DVD release of Brookside: Unfinished Business, a film that will continue storylines from Channel 4's Brookside which ends on 4 November. The DVD will be released two weeks later.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3193390.stm |title=Brookside set for DVD comeback |publisher=BBC |date=15 October 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}}
ITV1 airs the network premiere of the 2000 American romantic musical comedy-drama film Coyote Ugly.
18 October – The UK's top 21 favourite books are revealed by the BBC's The Big Read. Celebrity advocates will put their case for each of the books over the coming weeks before the winner is decided.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3203642.stm |title=UK's top 21 books uncovered |publisher=BBC |date=19 October 2003 |access-date=23 May 2014}}
20 October – Cheryl Tweedy is found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after claiming self-defence during her trial, but cleared of racially aggravated assault.{{cite news | date=20 October 2003 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3207822.stm | title=Singer Tweedy guilty of assault | publisher=BBC News | access-date=29 March 2009}} She is sentenced to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay her victim £500 in compensation, as well as £3,000 prosecution costs.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3207822.stm|title=Singer Tweedy guilty of assault|date=20 October 2003|publisher=BBC News|access-date=29 March 2009}}
22 October
Longtime broadcaster on the BBC and ITN and latterly news anchor on Sky News, Bob Friend announces his retirement.{{cite news |url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/node/24238 |title=Sky News's Friend retires after 50 years |work=Press Gazette|date=22 October 2003 |access-date=18 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140618155428/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/node/24238 |archive-date=18 June 2014 }}
ITV1 airs the network television premiere of X-Men.
29 October – BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2 featuring performances by Sheryl Crow which includes her new single "The First Cut Is the Deepest".{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a58cab4e776741f4ad7228e47caab729|title=TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 29 October 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 October 2018}}
30 October
ITV1 screens a special live episode of The Bill to mark the show's 20th year on the air.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3227753.stm |title=The Bill prepares for live birthday |publisher=BBC |date=30 October 2003 |access-date=22 February 2014}}
The Broadcasting Standards Commission upholds 30 viewer complaints about comedian Jonathan Ross's use of the F-word during the live broadcast of Red Nose Day 2003. Although the word was used at 10:30pm, after the watershed, the Commission felt it was likely children would still be watching.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3226011.stm |title=Ross rapped for Red Nose swearing |publisher=BBC |date=30 October 2003 |access-date=3 May 2014}}

=November=

3 November
Andy Page wins the 2003 series of Mastermind.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/11_november/04/mastermind_winner2003.shtml |title=Mastermind champion 2003 |publisher=BBC Press Office |date=4 November 2003 |access-date=13 April 2017}}
The Independent Television Commission rejects 21 viewer complaints about the first gay kiss to be featured in Coronation Street.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3238111.stm |title=Street gay kiss complaints rejected |publisher=BBC |date=3 November 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}}
Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks begins airing five nights a week.
4 November – Channel 4 airs the final episode of Brookside, ending a run of 21 years.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3238427.stm |title=Brookside bows out after 21 years |publisher=BBC |date=5 November 2003 |access-date=22 February 2014}} The episode is watched by two million viewers.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3243589.stm |title=Two million watch Brookside's end |publisher=BBC |date=5 November 2003 |access-date=2 February 2014}}
6 November – ITV confirms GMTV's Jenni Falconer as the main presenter of its new holiday series, How to Holiday. The programme, a replacement for Wish You Were Here...? will begin in early 2004.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3248105.stm |title=Falconer lands ITV travel show |publisher=BBC |date=6 November 2003 |access-date=24 May 2014}}
10 November – The short-lived quiz show 19 Keys debuts on Five.
11 November – The BBC current affairs series Panorama, launched in 1953, becomes the first UK television show to reach its 50th anniversary on the air.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/50th_birthday/default.stm |title=Panorama 50th Birthday |publisher=BBC |date=11 November 2003 |access-date=21 June 2014}}
12 November
The BBC issues a statement in response to a newspaper report that actor Dalip Tahil faces being axed from EastEnders due to not having the correct work permit. The report in the previous Sunday's edition of The People had suggested that after Tahil joined the show from appearing in stage musical Bombay Dreams, neither he nor the BBC obtained proper authorisation from the Home Office to make the switch of employment legal.{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2003/nov/68648.htm|title=Dalip Tahil in UK row|publisher=Mid Day|date=13 November 2003|access-date=21 June 2014}} The BBC says "We are considering any potential problems with a view to resolving them as soon as possible."
UK Gold 2 is relaunched as UKG2, a channel aimed at the 16–34 audience demographic.{{cite news|last=Wilkes |first=Neil |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a12139/uk-gold-2-ditched-for-uk-g2.html#~oLfjJzHeiwZ0ss |title='UK Gold 2' ditched.. for 'UK G2' |publisher=Digital Spy |date=28 October 2003 |access-date=27 July 2014}}
13 November – The British television premiere of Paul Verhoeven's 2000 science-fiction thriller Hollow Man airs on Five, starring Kevin Bacon and Elisabeth Shue.
14 November – The Office of Fair Trading gives Carlton and Granada the go-ahead to merge after the two companies agreed to adopt a new advertising sales system for ITV and to protect the interests of the smaller companies in the network, including SMG plc and Ulster Television.{{cite news|first=Dan |last=Milmo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/nov/15/itv.politicsandthemedia |title=Carlton-Granada merger clears last hurdle |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 November 2003 |access-date=28 April 2014}}
15 November – The United Kingdom enters the inaugural Junior Eurovision Song Contest (staged in Copenhagen) with "My Song for the World" performed by 10-year-old Tom Morley.
16 November
Charles II: The Power and the Passion debuts on BBC One.
BBC Three airs the spoof documentary Sex, Lies and Michael Aspel which "unmasks" the mild mannered television presenter Michael Aspel as an international womaniser who fathered several children through a string of affairs.{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/sex-lies--aspel---2461377 |title=Sex, Lies & Aspel – with Baywatch babe Pamela |newspaper=Western Mail |date=13 November 2003 |access-date=26 December 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0306cb4bdf9a4a3c9607daf393d37259 |title=Sex, Lies and Michael Aspel – BBC Three – 16 November 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=26 December 2016}}
20 November – UTV replaces its network-inspired idents with a series of landscape films of Northern Ireland, in the form of a panorama shot as the camera revolved around a location.[http://www.utvtoday.co.uk/idents/0305_1.html UTV Today: 2003–05 Scenery Idents (Old Soundtrack)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106182232/http://www.utvtoday.co.uk/idents/0305_1.html |date=6 January 2009 }}. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
21 November – BBC Three Controller Stuart Murphy confirms that the channel's entertainment news programme Liquid News will end in April 2004.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3268565.stm |title=Liquid News show axed in shake-up |publisher=BBC |date=21 November 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
22 November – ITV's coverage of the Final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup in which England beat Australia 20–17 and win the competition is watched by more than 10 million viewers, a record figure for Saturday morning television.{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Kelso |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/nov/24/mondaymediasection.rugbyworldcup2003 |title=ITV's coverage of rugby World Cup pays off |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 November 2003 |access-date=19 May 2014}} End of year figures produced by BARB place it as the ninth most watched television programme of the year with 12.3 million viewers.
23 November – The 40th anniversary of the first broadcast of Doctor Who, the iconic sci-fi series would return to television in March 2005.
27 November – The BBC unveils a revamped version of its news channel in an attempt to make it appear more dynamic to viewers. Changes include a new studio set and redesigned branding and graphics.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3240232.stm|title= BBC News 24's revamp is launched|publisher= BBC News|date= 27 November 2003|access-date= 29 March 2009}}
28 November
Some of the BBC's radio and television services, including BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Five Live and BBC News 24, are blacked out by a power cut and a fire alert.
Top of the Pops is relaunched in the face of declining ratings with a new set and theme tune.{{cite news|last=Youngs |first=Ian |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3234576.stm |title=Top of the Pops' all new gamble |publisher=BBC |date=28 November 2003 |access-date=21 June 2014}}
29 November – Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman is deluged with unwanted phone calls after fellow judge Simon Cowell gives out his mobile phone number during an edition of ITV2's Pop Idol Extra. Cowell says he did it because Waterman revealed his home address on the previous weekend's show.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Number's+up+for+Cowell's+revenge.-a0110708540 |title=Number's up for Cowell's revenge |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=1 December 2003 |access-date=28 June 2014}}

=December=

1 December – The BBC's commercial rivals express concerns after Coca-Cola signs a deal with The Official UK Chart Company that will allow it to be mentioned on Top of the Pops and The Radio 1 Chart Show.{{cite news|first=Chris |last=Tryhorn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/dec/01/broadcasting.marketingandpr1 |title=Critics attack Coke chart deal |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 December 2003 |access-date=15 March 2014}}
5 December – The third series of US spy drama 24 will not air on BBC Two after negotiations between Fox and the BBC end without a deal being reached.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3293845.stm |title=No third series of 24 on BBC Two |publisher=BBC |date=5 December 2003 |access-date=19 April 2014}}
6 December
Simon Cowell makes a public apology to his fellow Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman after giving out his mobile phone number during an edition of ITV2's Pop Idol Extra the previous weekend.{{cite news|last=Wilkes |first=Neil |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s98/pop-idol/news/a12611/cowell-apologises-to-waterman.html#~oIeX4Uypg3EiKU |title=Cowell apologises to Waterman |publisher=Digital Spy |date=6 December 2003 |access-date=28 June 2014}}
Westlife's version of the Barry Manilow classic "Mandy" is voted the 2003 Record of the Year by ITV viewers, giving the Irish boyband their third win.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2003/1208/400580-westlife/ |title=Record of the Year for Westlife's Mandy |work=RTÉ Ten |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=8 December 2003 |access-date=27 May 2014}}
8 December – BBC News 24 is relaunched with a new set and titles, as well as a new Breaking News sting. Networked news on BBC One and Two remains with the same titles though the set has been redesigned in a similar style to that of the new News 24. The relaunch had been scheduled for the previous Monday (1 December), but was delayed due to a power failure the week before which had disrupted work on the new set.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/power-fault-at-bbc-puts-television-and-radio-news-off-air-737324.html |title=Power fault at BBC puts television and radio news off air |work=The Independent|first=Lia |last=Hervey |date=29 November 2003 |access-date=10 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924234734/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/power-fault-at-bbc-puts-television-and-radio-news-off-air-737324.html |archive-date=24 September 2010 |url-status=dead |location=London }}{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3245864.stm|title= Power cut interrupts BBC services|publisher= BBC News|date= 28 November 2003|access-date= 10 June 2009}}
13 December – J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy wins the BBC's The Big Read after receiving 23% of the vote.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3317081.stm |title=Rings triumphs in Big Read vote |publisher=BBC |date=14 December 2003 |access-date=23 May 2014}}
14 December – Jonny Wilkinson, whose last minute drop-goal clinched the 2003 Rugby World Cup for England, is named as this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, becoming the 50th person to be presented with the award.{{cite news|first=Stephen |last=Bierley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/dec/15/comment.stephenbierley |title=Jonny the drop-kick wins it for rugby |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 December 2003 |access-date=7 November 2015}}
15 December
Comedian Graham Norton has signed an exclusive deal with the BBC where he will help to develop ideas for Saturday night entertainment. He will join them in April 2004.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3321569.stm |title=Norton signs exclusive BBC deal |publisher=BBC |date=15 December 2003 |access-date=15 June 2014}}
Five airs a semi-fictional drama Hear the Silence, based on the MMR vaccine controversy which started when Andrew Wakefield published a paper claiming a possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
16 December
After hearing that EastEnders actor Dalip Tahil who plays Dan Ferreira in the soap, faces deportation after his appeal to work in the UK was rejected by the Home Office, MP Keith Vaz raises the matter with Home Secretary David Blunkett who says he will look into the situation.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3325933.stm |title=Blunkett ponders EastEnders case |publisher=BBC |date=16 December 2003 |access-date=17 June 2014}} However, an attempt by Tahil to make a retrospective application for a work permit is turned down and he is forced to leave the series{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3757384.stm |title=EastEnders star fights acting ban |publisher=BBC |date=19 October 2004 |access-date=17 June 2014}} though eventually allowed to remain in the UK.{{cite news|url=http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/television/861|title=Indian actor Dalip Tahil wins right to work in UK|publisher=Asians in Media|date=18 March 2005|access-date=21 June 2014|archive-date=16 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216045339/http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/television/861|url-status=usurped}}
BBC Two airs a special two-act edition of TOTP2 featuring performances from Fleetwood Mac and James Brown.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d314d673c7544979b2d11881e0d3e08b|title=TOTP2 – BBC Two England – 16 December 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 October 2018}}
17 December
BBC Scotland will not pursue the idea of a Scottish Six news programme following a major review of output which indicates a majority of viewers are satisfied with the status quo.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3327793.stm |title='Scottish Six' idea dropped |publisher=BBC |date=17 December 2003 |access-date=4 May 2012}}
Sky One signs a deal with Fox to broadcast the third series of 24.{{cite news|first=Jason |last=Deans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/dec/17/broadcasting.bbc1 |title=Sky One grabs third series of 24 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 December 2003 |access-date=19 April 2014}}
19 December
The final edition of RI:SE is aired on Channel 4. It will be replaced by series such as Friends and The Salon in its early morning slot.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3333325.stm |title=Channel 4's Rise falls for good |publisher=BBC |date=19 December 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
The final episode of the long-running game show Fifteen to One with William G. Stewart as host is aired on Channel 4.{{cite news|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Weaver's_Week_2003-12-13 |title=Weaver's Week 2003-12-13 |publisher=UKGameshows |date=13 December 2003 |access-date=19 July 2015}} The programme is revived a decade later presented by Sandi Toksvig.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41359461|title=Toksvig tribute to 'lovely' 15 to 1 host|date=22 September 2017|access-date=8 November 2019}}
The Day Britain Stopped is shown again on BBC Two.
20 December – Michelle McManus wins the second and final series of Pop Idol.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3337385.stm |title=Michelle captures Pop Idol crown |publisher=BBC |date=21 December 2003 |access-date=31 March 2014}} Her debut single, "All This Time" reaches number one in the UK Singles Chart in January 2004.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3387000/3387617.stm |title=CBBC Newsround | MUSIC | Pop Idol Michelle is number one |publisher=BBC News |date=11 January 2004 |access-date=13 January 2018}}
25 December
BBC One airs the network premiere of The Tigger Movie.
"Sleepless in Peckham", the final episode of Only Fools and Horses, is aired on BBC One. Preliminary figures released two days later indicate it is watched by 15.5 million viewers.{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/fj8k/only-fools-and-horses--sleepless-in-peckham |title=Only Fools and Horses: Sleepless in Peckham |work=Radio Times|access-date=20 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3351375.stm |title=Fools and Horses 'top Christmas show' |publisher=BBC |date=27 December 2003 |access-date=20 May 2014}}
26 December
Celebrity Mastermind returns for a full series on BBC Two.{{cite news|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/814f89a0da3648c6a467288f7ae83db6 |title=Celebrity Mastermind – BBC Two England – 26 December 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=13 April 2017}}
Debut of That Was the Week We Watched on BBC Two, narrated by actor Simon Pegg and showing six nights a week, except on New Year's Eve about looking back to past television shows in the Radio Times and TVTimes schedules from the years 1967, 1970, 1973, 1977, 1982 and 1986. The series continues on 1 January 2004.
ITV1 airs the network premiere of the 2000 Christmas film The Grinch, starring Jim Carrey and Josh Ryan Evans.
27 December – The final edition of SMTV Live airs on ITV1. The programme is cancelled due to a decline in the number of viewers.{{cite web|last=Wilkes|first=Neil|date=21 August 2003|title='SM:tv Live' axed after five years|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a11585/smtv-live-axed-after-five-years/|access-date=22 December 2020|publisher=Digital Spy}}
29 December
Launch of the Office of Communications known as Ofcom. The watchdog which formally inherits the duties that had previously been the responsibility of five different regulators.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3354093.stm|title='Super-regulator' Ofcom launches|publisher=BBC|date=29 December 2003|access-date=5 April 2014}} Ofcom replaces the Broadcasting Standards Commission, Independent Television Commission, Radio Authority, Office of Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Agency.{{cite news|last=Oakes |first=Keily |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3325775.stm |title=Ofcom takes the reins |publisher=BBC |date=29 December 2003 |access-date=5 April 2014}}
BBC One airs the Network Premiere of the 2000 adventure film Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/eab168db3fe645ab9826fcc919332e27|title=Cast Away – BBC One London – 29 December 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 October 2018}}
31 December
New Year's Eve highlights on BBC One include the films Anna and the King and Air Force One.{{cite news|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/2003-12-31 |title=BBC One London – 31 December 2003 |publisher=BBC Genome Project |access-date=12 November 2016}}
EastEnders screens a lesbian kiss between two of its characters, Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) and Kelly Taylor (Brooke Kinsella) who share the intimate moment after surviving a minibus crash in the Scottish Highlands.{{cite news|last=Dyke |first=Peter |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/EASTENDERS'+LESBIAN+KISS%3B+E20+EXCLUSIVE+Zoe+%26+Kelly's+New+Year...-a0111680456 |title=Zoe & Kelly's New Year shocker |newspaper=The People |date=28 December 2003 |access-date=28 July 2014}}{{cite news|last=Page |first=Cara |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ENDERS+IN+FIRST+LESBIAN+CLINCH%3b+Soap's+sexy+New+Year.-a0111486382 |title=Enders in first lesbian clinch; Soap's sexy New Year |newspaper=Daily Record |date=22 December 2003 |access-date=28 July 2014}}{{cite news|last=Cox |first=Emma |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ZOE+AND+KELLY%3A+THE+KISS.-a0111675484 |title=Zoe and Kelly: the kiss |newspaper=Sunday Mirror |date=28 December 2003 |access-date=28 July 2014}}
BBC Two airs a special edition of TOTP2 celebrating the 40th anniversary of Top of the Pops and featuring performances from the show's four decade history.{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2ff8d7841ee340f5b421ba51926dbb6c|title=TOTP2 Special – BBC Two England – 31 December 2003 – BBC Genome|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 October 2018}}
On ITV1, Martin Kemp stars in The Brides in the Bath, a film about George Joseph Smith.{{cite news |last1=Lavery |first1=Mark |title=A Role to Die For |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/a-role-to-die-for-1-2258539 |access-date=22 August 2017 |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=31 December 2003 |archive-date=18 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618102116/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/a-role-to-die-for-1-2258539 |url-status=dead }}

Debuts

=BBC (One/Two/Three/Four/CBBC/CBeebies/News 24)=

6 January – Kerching! (2003–2006)
7 January –
Little Robots (2003–2005)
Red Cap (2003–2004)
8 January –
Politics Show (2003–2011)
Daily Politics (2003–2018)
9 January – Trust (2003)
11 January – Taken (2002)
12 January – This Week (2003–2019)
19 January – The Lost Prince (2003)
4 February – Posh Nosh (2003)
9 February –
Burn It (2003)
Monkey Dust (2003–2004)
10 February – Swiss Toni (2003–2004)
17 March – My Dad's the Prime Minister (2003–2004)
26 March – Rehab (2003)
27 March – New Tricks (2003–2015)
28 March – The Other Boleyn Girl (2003)
29 March – The Murder Game (2003)
15 April – Grease Monkeys (2003–2004)
17 April – Servants (2003)
28 April – Murphy's Law (2003–2007)
9 May – Cambridge Spies (2003)
12 May – Early Doors (2003–2004)
18 May – State of Play (2003)
31 May – Strange (2003)
4 June – Boo! (2003–2006)
9 June – Comedy Connections (2003–2008)
23 June – Spine Chillers (2003)
21 July – The Adventures of Marco & Gina (2003)
15 August –
Trevor's World of Sport (2003)
Eyes Down (2003–2004)
23 August – Death in Holy Orders (2003)
1 September – Sergeant Stripes (2003–2004)
8 September – Grass (2003)
9 September – The Crouches (2003–2005)
11 September –
Canterbury Tales (2003)
QI (2003–present)
16 September –
Little Britain (2003–2007)
The Key (2003)
27 September – Byron (2003)
29 September – Wide-Eye (2003–2004)
4 October – Eroica (2003)
10 November – Absolute Power (2003–2005)
11 November – Rich Hall's Fishing Show (2003)
16 November – Charles II: The Power and the Passion (2003)
16 December – The Private Life of Samuel Pepys (2003)
26 December – That Was the Week We Watched (2003)

=ITV (including ITV1 & ITV2)=

1 January – Pollyanna (2003)
2 January – Serious & Organised (2003)
4 January – Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! (2003–2005)
11 January – Miffy and Friends (2003–2007)
12 January – Sons and Lovers (2003)
19 January –
Diggin' It (2003–2005)
The Royal (2003–2011)
26 January – State of Mind (2003)
7 February – The Last Detective (2003–2007)
9 February – The Second Coming (2003)
12 February – Without You (2003)
16 February – The Commander (2003–2008)
23 March –
Hardware (2003–2004)
William and Mary (2003–2005)
1 April – Girls in Love (2003–2005)
11 April – Lucky Jim (2003)
14 April – Danielle Cable: Eyewitness (2003)
16 April – Watermelon (2003)
3 May – MIT: Murder Investigation Team (2003–2005)
18 May – Blue Murder (2003–2009)
29 June – Fortysomething (2003)
26 June – PointlessBlog (2003–2007)
25 August – Alibi (2003)
31 August –
Broken Morning (2003)
Rosemary & Thyme (2003–2007)
1 September – Invader Zim (2001–2002)
4 September – Sweet Medicine (2003)
22 September – Too Good to Be True (2003)
28 September – Boudica (2003)
29 September – Family (2003)
5 October – Sparkling Cyanide (2003)
10 October – P.O.W. (2003)
11 October – Creature Comforts (2003–2006)
12 October – Henry VIII (2003)
25 October – Single (2003)
29 October – Gifted (2003)
3 November – Our New Life in Everwood (2002–2006)
15 November – Junior Eurovision Song Contest (2003–2005)
17 November – Between the Sheets (2003)
21 December – Promoted To Glory (2003)
28 December – The Mayor of Casterbridge (2003)
31 December – The Brides in the Bath (2003)

=Channel 4=

12 January – The Salon (2003–2004)
14 January – Buried (2003)
6 February – 20 Things to Do Before You're 30 (2003)
3 April – The Real Casanova (2003)
8 April – 40 (2003)
21 May – How Clean Is Your House? (2003–2009)
20 August – Coming Up (TV series) (Anthology for short films) (2003–2013)
13 September – The Smash Hits Chart Show (2003–2004)
19 September —
Peep Show (2003–2015)
Born to Be Different (2003 – present)
5 December – The Illustrated Mum (2003)

=Five=

28 January – Boomtown (2002–2003)
28 March – Extraordinary People (2003–2012)
10 April – Hi-5 (2003–2009, UK broadcast)
14 April – 99 Things to do Before You Die (2002–2003)
2 September – At Home with the Eubanks (2003)
27 October –
MechaNick{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/five-lines-up-impossibles-mechanick-1/ | title=Five lines up Impossible's MechaNick }}
Softies
10 November – 19 Keys (2003)
15 December – Hear the Silence (2003)

=Sky=

16 February – Mile High (2003–2005)
Unknown – Life with Bonnie (2002–2004)

=Cartoon Network UK=

10 February – ¡Mucha Lucha! (2002–2005)
7 April – Ozzy & Drix (2002–2004)
1 September – Codename: Kids Next Door (2002–2007)
10 November – Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003–2005)

=Boomerang UK=

7 April –
What's New Scooby Doo (7 April 2003 – 21 July 2006)
Baby Looney Tunes (2003–2005)

=Toonami UK=

3 November – Teen Titans (TV series) (2003–2006)

=Disney Channel UK=

6 January – Fillmore! (2003–2004)
20 October – Lilo & Stitch: The Series (20 October 2003 – 29 July 2006)

=Pop/Pop Plus=

Undated
The Berenstain Bears (2002–2003)
Tracey McBean (2001–2006)

Channels

=New channels=

class="wikitable"
width=90\|Date ! width=250\|Channel
rowspan=2\|15 January \|Ftn
UK Bright Ideas
3 February \|Channel U
9 February \|BBC Three
1 September \|Paramount Comedy 2
rowspan=2\|8 September \|Toonami
Pop Plus
16 December \|VH2

class="wikitable"

width=90|Date

! width=250|Channel

rowspan=2|15 January

|Ftn

3 February

9 February

1 September

rowspan=2|8 September

|Toonami

Pop Plus

16 December

|VH2

=Defunct channels=

class="wikitable"
width=90\|Date ! width=250\|Channel
1 January \|The Studio
January \|The Racing Channel
9 February \|BBC Choice
31 March \|Carlton Cinema
8 September \|CNX

class="wikitable"

width=90|Date

! width=250|Channel

1 January

January

9 February

31 March

8 September

|CNX

=Rebranded channels=

class="wikitable"
width=90\|Date ! width=150\|Old Name ! width=150\|New Name
29 May \|Toons and Tunes \|Pop
31 October \|Sky Movies Premier/Max/Cinema \|Sky Movies 1, Sky Movies 2, Sky Movies 3, Sky Movies 4, Sky Movies 5, Sky Movies 6, Sky Movies 7, Sky Movies 8, Sky Movies 9, Sky Cinema 1, Sky Cinema 2

class="wikitable"

width=90|Date

! width=150|Old Name

! width=150|New Name

29 May

|Toons and Tunes

|Pop

31 October

|Sky Movies Premier/Max/Cinema

|Sky Movies 1, Sky Movies 2, Sky Movies 3, Sky Movies 4, Sky Movies 5, Sky Movies 6, Sky Movies 7, Sky Movies 8, Sky Movies 9, Sky Cinema 1, Sky Cinema 2

Television shows

=Changes of network affiliation=

class="wikitable"
Show ! Moved from ! Moved to
Robot Wars \| BBC Two \|rowspan=2\|Five
Beyblade \|Cartoon Network
Thomas & Friends \|Nick Jr. \|rowspan=3\|ITV1
The Flintstones \| BBC One
What About Mimi? \| Sky One
Don't Try This at Home \| Rowspan=2\|ITV1 \| Challenge
Pippi Longstocking \| Channel 4
What's New, Scooby-Doo? \| Boomerang \| CBBC on BBC One

class="wikitable"

Show

! Moved from

! Moved to

Robot Wars

| BBC Two

|rowspan=2|Five

Beyblade

|Cartoon Network

Thomas & Friends

|Nick Jr.

|rowspan=3|ITV1

The Flintstones

| BBC One

What About Mimi?

| Sky One

Don't Try This at Home

| Rowspan=2|ITV1

| Challenge

Pippi Longstocking

| Channel 4

What's New, Scooby-Doo?

| Boomerang

| CBBC on BBC One

=Returning this year after a break of one year or longer=

22 February – After Dark returns to British television on BBC Four (last on Channel 4 in 1997)
16 October – Superstars returns to BBC One (1973–1985, 2003–2005)

Continuing television shows

=1920s=

BBC Wimbledon (1927–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present)

=1930s=

Trooping the Colour (1937–1939, 1946–2019, 2023–present)
The Boat Race (1938–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present)

=1950s=

Andy Pandy (1950–1970, 2002–2005)
Panorama (1953–present)
What the Papers Say (1956–2008){{cite web |title=What the Papers Say in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/gallery/2008/may/29/what.the.papers.say |website=The Guardian|location=London |access-date=2 April 2022 |date=29 May 2008}}
The Sky at Night (1957–present)
Blue Peter (1958–present)
Grandstand (1958–2007)

=1960s=

Coronation Street (1960–present)
Songs of Praise (1961–present)
Top of the Pops (1964–2006)
Match of the Day (1964–present)
Call My Bluff (1965–2005)
The Money Programme (1966–2010)

=1970s=

Emmerdale (1972–present)
Newsround (1972–present)
Last of the Summer Wine (1973–2010)
Arena (1975–present)
One Man and His Dog (1976–present)
Top Gear (1977–2001, 2002–present)
Grange Hill (1978–2008)
Ski Sunday (1978–present)
Antiques Roadshow (1979–present)
Question Time (1979–present)

=1980s=

Children in Need (1980–present)
Postman Pat (1981–present)
Timewatch (1982–present)
Countdown (1982–present)
The Bill (1984–2010)
Channel 4 Racing (1984–2016)
Thomas & Friends (1984–present)
EastEnders (1985–present)
Comic Relief (1985–present)
Casualty (1986–present)
ChuckleVision (1987–2009)
This Morning (1988–present)

=1990s=

Stars in Their Eyes (1990–2006, 2015)
Heartbeat (1992–2010)
Breakfast with Frost (1993–2005)
Animal Hospital (1994–2004)
Room 101 (1994–2007, 2012–2018)
Time Team (1994–2013)
The National Lottery Draws (1994–2017)
Top of the Pops 2 (1994–present)
Silent Witness (1996–present)
Y Clwb Rygbi, Wales (1997–present)
Dream Team (1997–2007)
Family Affairs (1997–2005)
Midsomer Murders (1997–present)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1998–2014)
Bob the Builder (1998–present)
British Soap Awards (1999–2019, 2022–present)
Holby City (1999–2022){{cite web |title=Holby City – an oral history by the show's stars and creators |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/holby-city/a35594857/holby-city-an-oral-history-by-the-shows-stars-and-creators/ |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=4 April 2022 |date=29 March 2022}}
My Parents Are Aliens (1999–2006){{cite web |last1=Rodger |first1=James |title=My Parents Are Aliens cast reunite after 17 years as fans left emotional |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/parents-aliens-cast-reunite-after-26543597 |website=BirminghamLive |access-date=25 March 2023|date=23 March 2023}}

=2000s=

Doctors (2000–present)
Big Brother (2000–2018)
The Weakest Link (2000–2012, 2017)
The Kumars (2001–2006, 2014)
Popworld (2001–2007)
Real Crime (2001–2011)
UK Top 40 (2002–2005)
Dick and Dom in da Bungalow (2002–2006)
Harry Hill's TV Burp (2002–2012)
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2002–present)
Spooks (2002–2011)
Angelina Ballerina (2002–2005)
Mr. Bean: the Animated Series (2002–2004)

Ending this year

Crossroads (1964–1988, 2001–2003)
Wish You Were Here...? (1974–2003, 2008)
Play Your Cards Right (1980–1987, 1994–1999, 2002–2003)
Take the High Road (1980–2003)
Only Fools and Horses (1981–1996, 2001–2003, 2014)
Brookside (1982–2003)
James the Cat (1984–1992, 1998–2003)
Blind Date (1985–2003, 2017–2019)
Fifteen to One (1988–2003, 2013–2019)
Get Your Own Back (1991–2003)
999 (1992–2003)
Barbara (1995–2003)
Cold Feet (1998–2003, 2016–present)
Diggit (1998–2003)
SMTV Live (1998–2003)
Smack the Pony (1999–2003)
The Tribe (1999–2003)
At Home with the Braithwaites (2000–2003)
Clocking Off (2000–2003)
The Hoobs (2001–2003)
Pop Idol (2001–2003)
Ky's Bommerang (2001–2003)
Night and Day (2001–2003)
The Goal Rush (2001–2003)
The Office (2001–2003)
RI:SE (2002–2003)
Captain Abercromby (2002–2003)
Fame Academy (2002–2003)
Russian Roulette (2002–2003)
Rich Hall's Fishing Show (2003)
Too Good to Be True (2003)

Births

30 April – Emily Carey, actress and model
18 July – Lucy Hutchinson, actress
25 September – Alexander Aze, actor

Deaths

class="wikitable"
Date \|\| Name \|\| Age \|\| Cinematic Credibility
1 January \|Cyril Shaps \|79 \|actor (Doctor Who)
8 January \|Ron Goodwin \|77 \|theme tune composer
9 January \|Peter Tinniswood{{cite news\|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2643233.stm\|title= Novelist Tinniswood dies\|publisher= BBC News\|date= 9 January 2003\|access-date= 22 May 2009\| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414093509/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2643233.stm\| archive-date= 14 April 2009 \| url-status= live}} \|66 \|radio and TV comedy scriptwriter, and author
13 January \|Elisabeth Croft{{cite news\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/elisabeth-croft-602063.html \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/elisabeth-croft-602063.html \|archive-date=1 May 2022 \|url-access=subscription \|url-status=live\|title=Elisabeth Croft\|work= The Independent\|date= 18 January 2003\| access-date= 17 June 2011 }}{{cbignore}}{{dead link\|date=August 2021\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}} \|95 \|actor (Edith Tatum in ATV soap Crossroads)
7 February \|Stephen Whittaker \|55 \|actor and television director
21 February \|Barry Bucknell \|91 \|television presenter
11 March \|Kevin Laffan{{cite news\|first=Dennis \|last=Barker \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/mar/20/broadcasting.guardianobituaries \|title=Obituary: Kevin Laffan \|newspaper=The Guardian \|date=20 March 2003 \|access-date=9 August 2019}} \|80 \|writer and author (creator of Emmerdale)
15 March \|Thora Hird{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2853893.stm \|title=Actress Dame Thora Hird dies \|publisher=BBC \|date=15 March 2003 \|access-date=20 December 2015}} \|91 \|actress (Edie Pegden in Last of the Summer Wine)
22 March \|Terry Lloyd \|50 \|news reporter, killed during Iraq War skirmish
30 March \|Gaby Rado \|48 \|news reporter, killed during Iraq War
16 April \|Danny O'Dea \|91 \|actor (Eli Duckett in Last of the Summer Wine)
22 April \|Berkeley Smith \|84 \|television broadcaster
12 May \|Jeremy Sandford \|72 \|television scriptwriter
24 May \|Rachel Kempson \|92 \|actress (Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill, The Jewel in the Crown)
30 May \|John Roberts \|75 \|historian and television presenter (The Triumph of the West)
7 June \|Tony McAuley \|63 \|television producer
15 June \|Philip Stone \|79 \|actor (Coronation Street, The Rat Catchers, Justice)
19 June \|Laura Sadler{{cite news\|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3001562.stm\|title= Holby City star Laura Sadler dies\|publisher=BBC News \|date= 20 June 2003\|access-date= 11 April 2009}} \|22 \|actress (Sandy Harper in Holby City)
1 July \|George Roper \|69 \|comedian (The Comedians)
9 July \|Valerie Gearon \|69 \|actress
2 August \|Don Estelle \|70 \|actor (It Ain't Half Hot Mum)
6 August \|Larry Taylor \|85 \|actor
10 August \|Constance Chapman \|91 \|actor
12 August \|Jackie Hamilton \|66 \|comedian (The Comedians)
rowspan="2"\|24 August \|Zena Walker \|69 \|actress (The Adventures of Robin Hood)
Kent Walton{{cite news\|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/sep/08/broadcasting.guardianobituaries\|title= Kent Walton Obituary\|work= The Guardian\|date= 8 September 2003\|access-date= 18 April 2009 \| location=London \| first=Philip \| last=Purser}} \|86 \|television sports commentator and presenter
2 September \|Peter West \|83 \|BBC sports commentator
4 September \|Ben Aris \|66 \|actor (Hi-de-Hi!, To the Manor Born)
11 September \|Stuart Golland{{cite news\|first=Anthony \|last=Hayward \|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/stuart-golland-37243.html \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/stuart-golland-37243.html \|archive-date=1 May 2022 \|url-access=subscription \|title=Obituary: Stuart Golland \|newspaper=The Independent\|location=London \|date=9 October 2003 \|access-date=9 August 2019}}{{cbignore}} \|58 \|actor (George Ward in Heartbeat)
23 September \|Sarah Parkinson{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3137446.stm \|title=Comic Paul Merton's wife dies \|publisher=BBC \|date=24 September 2003 \|access-date=25 April 2015}} \|41 \|producer and writer of radio and television programmes
30 September \|John Hawkesworth \|82 \|television producer and scriptwriter
10 October \|Julia Trevelyan Oman \|73 \|television set designer
23 October \|Tony Capstick{{cite news\|first=Martin \|last=Wainwright \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/oct/27/broadcasting.artsobituaries \|title=Obituary: Tony Capstick \|newspaper=The Guardian \|date=27 October 2003 \|access-date=25 April 2015}} \|59 \|comedian and actor
8 November \|Bob Grant{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3283503.stm \|title=Entertainment \| On the Buses TV star found dead \|publisher=BBC News \|date=19 November 2003 \|access-date=3 April 2016}} \|71 \|actor (Jack Harper in On the Buses)
rowspan="2"\|11 November \|Robert Brown \|82 \|actor (The Newcomers)
Don Taylor \|67 \|television director
19 November \|Gillian Barge \|63 \|actress
20 November \|Robert Addie \|43 \|actor (Robin of Sherwood)
23 November \|Patricia Burke \|83 \|actress (The Adventures of Robin Hood)
26 November \|Gordon Reid \|64 \|actor
22 December \|Rose Hill{{cite news\|first=Anthony \|last=Hayward \|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/rose-hill-37725.html \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/rose-hill-37725.html \|archive-date=1 May 2022 \|url-access=subscription \|url-status=live \|title=Rose Hill \|newspaper=The Independent\|location=London \|date=1 January 2004 \|access-date=3 March 2016}}{{cbignore}} \|89 \|actress (Madame Fanny La Fan in 'Allo 'Allo!)
27 December \|Alan Bates \|69 \|actor (An Englishman Abroad)
29 December \|Bob Monkhouse{{cite news\|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3353445.stm\|title= Comedian Bob Monkhouse dies\|publisher= BBC News\|date= 29 December 2003\|access-date= 11 April 2009}} \|75 \|comedian and entertainer (The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House, The $64,000 Question, The Big Breakfast, Monkhouse's Memory Masters, Wipeout)

class="wikitable"

Date || Name || Age || Cinematic Credibility

1 January

|Cyril Shaps

|79

|actor (Doctor Who)

8 January

|Ron Goodwin

|77

|theme tune composer

9 January

|Peter Tinniswood{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2643233.stm|title= Novelist Tinniswood dies|publisher= BBC News|date= 9 January 2003|access-date= 22 May 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414093509/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2643233.stm| archive-date= 14 April 2009 | url-status= live}}

|66

|radio and TV comedy scriptwriter, and author

13 January

|Elisabeth Croft{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/elisabeth-croft-602063.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/elisabeth-croft-602063.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Elisabeth Croft|work= The Independent|date= 18 January 2003| access-date= 17 June 2011 }}{{cbignore}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

|95

|actor (Edith Tatum in ATV soap Crossroads)

7 February

|Stephen Whittaker

|55

|actor and television director

21 February

|Barry Bucknell

|91

|television presenter

11 March

|Kevin Laffan{{cite news|first=Dennis |last=Barker |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/mar/20/broadcasting.guardianobituaries |title=Obituary: Kevin Laffan |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 March 2003 |access-date=9 August 2019}}

|80

|writer and author (creator of Emmerdale)

15 March

|Thora Hird{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2853893.stm |title=Actress Dame Thora Hird dies |publisher=BBC |date=15 March 2003 |access-date=20 December 2015}}

|91

|actress (Edie Pegden in Last of the Summer Wine)

22 March

|Terry Lloyd

|50

|news reporter, killed during Iraq War skirmish

30 March

|Gaby Rado

|48

|news reporter, killed during Iraq War

16 April

|Danny O'Dea

|91

|actor (Eli Duckett in Last of the Summer Wine)

22 April

|Berkeley Smith

|84

|television broadcaster

12 May

|Jeremy Sandford

|72

|television scriptwriter

24 May

|Rachel Kempson

|92

|actress (Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill, The Jewel in the Crown)

30 May

|John Roberts

|75

|historian and television presenter (The Triumph of the West)

7 June

|Tony McAuley

|63

|television producer

15 June

|Philip Stone

|79

|actor (Coronation Street, The Rat Catchers, Justice)

19 June

|Laura Sadler{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3001562.stm|title= Holby City star Laura Sadler dies|publisher=BBC News |date= 20 June 2003|access-date= 11 April 2009}}

|22

|actress (Sandy Harper in Holby City)

1 July

|George Roper

|69

|comedian (The Comedians)

9 July

|Valerie Gearon

|69

|actress

2 August

|Don Estelle

|70

|actor (It Ain't Half Hot Mum)

6 August

|Larry Taylor

|85

|actor

10 August

|Constance Chapman

|91

|actor

12 August

|Jackie Hamilton

|66

|comedian (The Comedians)

rowspan="2"|24 August

|Zena Walker

|69

|actress (The Adventures of Robin Hood)

Kent Walton{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/sep/08/broadcasting.guardianobituaries|title= Kent Walton Obituary|work= The Guardian|date= 8 September 2003|access-date= 18 April 2009 | location=London | first=Philip | last=Purser}}

|86

|television sports commentator and presenter

2 September

|Peter West

|83

|BBC sports commentator

4 September

|Ben Aris

|66

|actor (Hi-de-Hi!, To the Manor Born)

11 September

|Stuart Golland{{cite news|first=Anthony |last=Hayward |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/stuart-golland-37243.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/stuart-golland-37243.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Obituary: Stuart Golland |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=9 October 2003 |access-date=9 August 2019}}{{cbignore}}

|58

|actor (George Ward in Heartbeat)

23 September

|Sarah Parkinson{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3137446.stm |title=Comic Paul Merton's wife dies |publisher=BBC |date=24 September 2003 |access-date=25 April 2015}}

|41

|producer and writer of radio and television programmes

30 September

|John Hawkesworth

|82

|television producer and scriptwriter

10 October

|Julia Trevelyan Oman

|73

|television set designer

23 October

|Tony Capstick{{cite news|first=Martin |last=Wainwright |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/oct/27/broadcasting.artsobituaries |title=Obituary: Tony Capstick |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 October 2003 |access-date=25 April 2015}}

|59

|comedian and actor

8 November

|Bob Grant{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3283503.stm |title=Entertainment | On the Buses TV star found dead |publisher=BBC News |date=19 November 2003 |access-date=3 April 2016}}

|71

|actor (Jack Harper in On the Buses)

rowspan="2"|11 November

|Robert Brown

|82

|actor (The Newcomers)

Don Taylor

|67

|television director

19 November

|Gillian Barge

|63

|actress

20 November

|Robert Addie

|43

|actor (Robin of Sherwood)

23 November

|Patricia Burke

|83

|actress (The Adventures of Robin Hood)

26 November

|Gordon Reid

|64

|actor

22 December

|Rose Hill{{cite news|first=Anthony |last=Hayward |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/rose-hill-37725.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/rose-hill-37725.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rose Hill |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=1 January 2004 |access-date=3 March 2016}}{{cbignore}}

|89

|actress (Madame Fanny La Fan in 'Allo 'Allo!)

27 December

|Alan Bates

|69

|actor (An Englishman Abroad)

29 December

|Bob Monkhouse{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3353445.stm|title= Comedian Bob Monkhouse dies|publisher= BBC News|date= 29 December 2003|access-date= 11 April 2009}}

|75

|comedian and entertainer (The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House, The $64,000 Question, The Big Breakfast, Monkhouse's Memory Masters, Wipeout)

References

External links

[https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?title_type=tv_series&release_date=2003-01-01,2003-12-31&countries=gb&adult=include&sort=num_votes,desc List of 2003 British television series] at IMDb

2003 in British television

Events

=January=

=February=

=March=

=April=

=May=

=June=

=July=

=August=

=September=

=October=

=November=

=December=

Debuts

=BBC (One/Two/Three/Four/CBBC/CBeebies/News 24)=

=ITV (including ITV1 & ITV2)=

=Channel 4=

=Five=

=Sky=

=Cartoon Network UK=

=Boomerang UK=

=Toonami UK=

=Disney Channel UK=

=Pop/Pop Plus=

Channels

=New channels=

=Defunct channels=

=Rebranded channels=

Television shows

=Changes of network affiliation=

=Returning this year after a break of one year or longer=

Continuing television shows

=1920s=

=1930s=

=1950s=

=1960s=

=1970s=

=1980s=

=1990s=

=2000s=

Ending this year

Births

Deaths

See also

References

External links