BBC sets date for “One Direction tribute night”

One Direction will be celebrated on the evening of Saturday 16 November in a special series of programmes on BBC Two and iPlayer.

The band, which featured late singer-songwriter Liam Payne, will be featured in a night dedicated to Boybands.

The first show of the night is Boybands at the BBC, which fans can watch at 8.15pm. From Take That to 1D, JLS to BTS, the Backstreet Boys to Boyzone and East 17 to Westlife, this is a celebration of the groups, made up frequently gorgeous guys, who’ve always played a vital role in pop’s dominance of modern music – sometimes not taken seriously, despite some seriously catchy songs, but loved forever by those who fell for them first time around.

Then, from 9.15pm, the first two episodes of major new documentary series Boybands Forever.

This original series will explore the behind-the-scenes lives of some of the UK and Ireland’s biggest boybands, from their early beginnings to chart-topping fame, produced by the BAFTA-winning Mindhouse Productions, co-founded by Louis Theroux and Nancy Strang.

With each hour-long episode, viewers will get a candid look at the pressures and rewards of sudden fame, as members of iconic bands like Take That, Westlife, East 17, Blue, Five, 911, and Damage share firsthand accounts of their experiences. These artists will discuss the whirlwind of their youth, recounting pivotal career moments, friendships, conflicts, and the ups and downs of living in the spotlight. Featured in the series are Robbie Williams (Take That) and Brian McFadden (Westlife), who along with other band members offer their unique insights into the boyband phenomenon.

The series will also spotlight the industry heavyweights who helped shape these groups, including One Direction’s manager Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Nigel Martin-Smith, who speak on the dynamics of managing young pop stars in a pre-social media era. Music executives, journalists, and insiders offer additional perspectives, adding layers to the story with rich archival footage and the soundtrack that defined a generation.

Executive Producer Louis Theroux shared his excitement, describing the series as an “epic story” that explores both the dream and reality of boyband fame. He highlights how the series captures not only the success and euphoria of these artists but also the intense pressures and vulnerabilities they faced in their rise to fame. Theroux remarks on how time has given these former pop idols a new perspective on their experiences, adding emotional depth to the series.

Jonathan Rothery, BBC’s Head of Popular Music TV, calls Boybands Forever a nostalgic yet revealing look back at an era that feels close yet began 35 years ago, filled with catchy tunes, unforgettable dance moves, and a lot of dedication behind the scenes.

The series promises a thoughtful journey into the highs and lows of boyband life, offering fans a chance to revisit beloved memories while understanding the challenges these young stars endured.