If you grew up in Ireland, you most likely spent a huge chunk of childhood plodded in front of the telly playing along with the Yes No Game Show or dreaming of the day you’d get a mention on the Happy Birthday roll call.
It’s an Irish institution and let’s not lie to ourselves, we all have at least one of Dustin’s albums at home. Nothing but bangers on every one of them.
So naturally, when the news was confirmed during the week that The Den wouldn’t be returning, there was a huge reaction.
According to rte.ie, a statement from the broadcaster on Tuesday night said: “The return of The Den to our screens was a huge success on RTÉ One, however there are no plans for a new season at this time.”
The beloved show returned during the second lockdown with a reunion of Ray Darcy, Zig and Zag and Dustin for the first time since the 90s. They welcomed rising Irish stars such as CMAT and comedian Sinead Quinlan, as well as household names like Stephen Fry and Mark Hamill.
Reactions have flooded in on Twitter from Irish broadcasters and The Den fans alike, with viewers sharing fond memories of the show and expressing what a joy it was to introduce it to their own children.
Ah lads this is absolutely shocking news! What a strange decision, it was so good to see the boys back! 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/NnYyDqgVZl
— John Sharpson (@johnsharpson) October 6, 2021
Well this news is 💩The Den was such a brilliant, funny, something for all the family show and added bonus is was LIVE ( live shows always have a little something extra) @DustinOfficial wanna get back together? https://t.co/29ZKax2cN0
— Mairead Ronan (@maireadronan) October 6, 2021
. @rte silly move 🙄 My 7 year old loved her introduction to the Den & it was a welcome blast from the past for the not so young #bringbacktheden #TheDen https://t.co/RYL9lp6ARa
— Mairéad (@Maidyrocks) October 6, 2021
Honestly, @rte can be completely baffling at times. The return of #TheDen was one of the bright spots of last winter and a huge success among all ages. This decision makes absolutely no sense. https://t.co/lZdrTpoqeC
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) October 6, 2021
In the run up to Xmas 2020, pupils always asked on Monday if I'd watched #TheDen (I had).
Every child watched it with their family & by the way they discussed #TheDen, it was clearly a highlight in their week, at a time when highlights were few & far between for children. https://t.co/zAdohJZKxp
— Seán Óg Hynes (@SeanOgHynesTEP) October 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/cmatbaby/status/1445505251864289280?s=20
https://twitter.com/SineadQuinlan_/status/1445444126279749637?s=20
Popular TV, perfect for all the social platforms too, inexpensive to produce and enticing a new young audience. Why drop it? https://t.co/wJ6R02TMVG
— Ian Dempsey (@IanDempsey) October 5, 2021
RTÉ have added that they will not be making any further comment outside of the statement.
Since the online outpouring of love for The Den, the production whizzes behind Zig and Zag have been sharing old school throwbacks of the show on their Twitter. If you’re feeling nostalgic, I suggest a deep dive.
No time wasting… timing. We often did things for waaay too long because it became funnier the longer it went on! https://t.co/FYHfT4OeZb
— ᴅᴏᴜʙʟᴇ ᴢ 💥 (@DoubleZCreative) October 6, 2021
Header image via Twitter/DoubleZCreative
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