Brookside set to be axed

Mainstays of Channel 4, including Brookside, Countdown and Fifteen to One, are facing the chop, it emerged today.

New chief executive Mark Thompson has indicated that he is planning one of the most radical overhauls in the channel's 20-year history.

Mr Thompson said last week that he plans to cut between 100 and 250 jobs and close Film Four, the loss-making film production arm.

A new £1.5 million production deal with former Big Breakfast presenter Chris Evans for two entertainment shows indicates that the channel is planning to go out on a limb to attract more young viewers. Evans is to produce Girls and Boys, a live studio-based series, and will work on a new show format.

However, some of the longest-running and most identifiably Channel 4 programmes face the axe, according to sources. Top of the list is Brookside, Phil Redmond's Liverpool soap, which has long been regarded as one of the channel's weak spots.

Mr Thompson says the soap "must improve", but privately, executives are discussing the possibility of axeing it by 2004.

Fifteen to One and Countdown are also candidates for the chop.