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The Slammer | |
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Also known as | The Slammer Returns (2013–2014) |
Genre | Children's Talent show Sitcom |
Starring | Ted Robbins Lee Barnett Dave Chapman Ian Kirkby Melvin Odoom |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 6 |
No. of episodes | 76 |
Production | |
Production location | dock10 studios |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production company | CBBC Production |
Original release | |
Network | CBBC |
Release | 22 September 2006 26 July 2014[1] | –
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) |
The Slammer (also known as The Slammer Returns for its final two series) is a talent show for children that was broadcast on CBBC from 22 September 2006 until 26 July 2014.
Set in a fictional prison called HM Slammer, this programme follows a variety show format where "prisoners" who have been arrested for "showbiz related crimes" compete, by performing to an audience, who decide which act should be released.
The show is produced by Steve Ryde, who also produced CBBC's Dick & Dom in da Bungalow and its subsequent spin off, Harry Batt. It was based on an item from Dick and Dom called 'The Strangely Talented': a game in which contestants performed their specialised acts in front of the "Bungalow Heads" to try to win the title of Strangely Talented Champion.
Some of the supporting cast of Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow appear in The Slammer; Dave Chapman, Ian Kirkby, Lee Barnett and Melvin Odoom.
The show returned, after a two-year absence, to CBBC in October 2013, under the new name of 'The Slammer Returns'. Special editions of the show including 'The Slammer by the Sea' aired during the revived series.
On 2 June 2016, Ian Kirkby announced that the new series had ended, stating "Unfortunately CBBC have retired the Governor and Mr. Burgess, probably for good...but, never say never!"[2]