The landmark documentary series, which has followed the same group of people for seven decades, is coming to a poignant end.

The Up series originated with 7 Up in 1964, with 14 seven-year-olds (four girls and 10 boys) interviewed about their lives.

Despite starting as a one-off idea, it soon turned into a groundbreaking, record-breaking series – eventually helmed by James Bond director Michael Apted – checking in with the same cohort around every seven years as they went through the seasons of life.

Although they started as strangers, the nation has watched this ragtag cluster grow from bright children into tight-lipped teenagers. They’ve tackled the turbulence of young adulthood, become mothers and fathers, grapple with isolation and homelessness, built families and embraced ageing – and everything in between.

After Apted died in 2021, renowned documentary-maker Asif Kapadia came on board to produce the final instalment in this industry-changing series – and there’s one moment that will no doubt move fans.

Nick Hitchon, the son of a farmer who viewers have seen navigate a booming career as a nuclear fusion expert and university professor, died in 2023 at the age of 65 after being diagnosed with throat cancer – which he opened up about in 63 Up.

Audiences may be surprised to learn, then, that Hitchon was able to make one final appearance in 70 Up just three days before his death in an emotional interview.

Based in Wisconsin in the US, Hitchon tells the camera in the upcoming episode: ‘I had a stroke last autumn and apparently they asked numerous times if they should just let me die.

‘I had no idea I was going to be this ill and I had no idea I was going to keep living.’

He continued, according to TVGuide: ‘It’s a surprise to my doctors that I’m still around. Curious really. One was saying: “It does happen that people survive” but made it clear he didn’t expect it. They should train them to be more tactful.

Elsewhere, we see him at the hospital, supported by his family.

The TV star shared that it was ‘tremendously important’ to him to appear in the show.

In poignant final words, he reflects: ‘When you guys pack up and leave, and I’m fairly sure we’re not going to do this again, I will feel there is a hole in things that I’ve not experienced since I was six.’ It is understood that Hitchon died just 72 hours later.

For those who have seen the cameo, it’s expected to be ‘one of the most emotional moments’ of the whole series.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain to promote the final episodes, one of his co-stars who grew close to him over the years, Suzy Dewey, paid tribute to her late friend.

She revealed her plans to watch the show for the first time ever, in his memory.

Where are the 7Up cast now?

Bruce Balden

Starting out the show as a public school boy with dreams of being a missionary, Bruce went on to teach in Bangladesh before moving back to England and meeting his now-wife Penny and having two boys.

He retired to Berwick-upon-Tweed, where he is a choir singer, and faith remains an important part of his life as a Quaker.

John Brisby

John fulfilled his childhood ambitions of being a lawyer, and since then the barrister has also turned his hand to philanthropy, especially focused on helping those in need in Bulgaria, a nod to his own heritage.

Jackie Bassett

Jackie has lived all around the country, starting in Essex with her first husband. She later had two more children with her partner Ian but after leaving him, found herself in Glasgow dealing with rheumatoid arthritis.

Now living on the Norfolk coast, Jackie is well-known for her off-camera arguments with Apted in which she accused him of sexism and biased editing.

Tony Walker

Tony became a London cab driver in his 20s, became the father of three, voted for Brexit and later regretted it, and has a holiday home in Spain. During his TV career, he’s also appeared in shows like Minder, EastEnders and The Bill.

Sue Davis

One of the East End girls who has been committed to the show from the start and spent her career running the law courses at Queen Mary University of London.

Now she is retired and looking into volunteering around her home in Essex and has remained lifelong friends with the late Lynn and Jackie.

Symon Basterfield

Symon, the only person of colour to be part of the experiment, married early and had five children. The forklift truck driver later divorced his first wife and met his now-partner Vienetta, with whom he had another child.

The pair also started fostering together, an experience Symon will share his latest reflections on in 70 Up.

Suzy Dewey (nee Lusk)

Married to her City solicitor husband Rupert, she shares two sons and a daughter to whom she has been a full-time mum.

She declined to appear in 63 Up but agreed to 70 Up after hearing of Hitchon’s contribution.

Nick Hitchon

As discussed, the professor and nuclear fusion expert who eventually moved to the US died in 2023 after being diagnosed with throat cancer. He was able to film one final segment days before his death, which will air in 70 Up.

Paul Kligerman

Paul now lives in Australia with his wife Sue and two children and at one time was working at a retirement village. In 70 Up we’ll see him with several grandchildren and still happily married.

Charles Furneaux

Charles’ last proper appearance in the Up series was in 21 Up, after which he bowed out of the show and went on to build an illustrious career as a TV producer, including as commissioning editor at Channel 4.

He agreed to do a voiceover for 70 Up in one last appearance as the show comes to an end.

Neil Hughes

After sharing his experience with homelessness – and even being supported by co-star Bruce – Neil went on to become a Liberal Democrat councillor and lay preacher.

In 70 Up we discover he is living in France in a house filled with bric-a-brac, sharing that he is ‘happy as he can be’ given his life circumstances, though he can get ‘lonely’

Lynn Johnson

Lynn’s last appearance in the Up series was in 56 Up, where she detailed battling a life-threatening brain condition. She died in 2013, a year after the documentary came out and will be remembered in the new series.

Andrew Brackfield

After a well-paying career as a lawyer, Andrew retired in 2018 with homes in Wimbledon and West Sussex. He continues to live a full life with his wife Jane and two sons.

Peter Davies

Retired teacher Peter shares a son and daughter with his second wife Gabrielle. After leaving teaching behind, he became a lawyer. Now, he is a musician and a debut novelist.

‘For the first time, I will watch it. I think I’ve got to. I’ll find it hard. It is the final chapter, and with Nick now, because he was the one I filmed with at 56, one of the missing pieces, he was an extraordinary person and I feel for him that I’ve just got to do it,’ she told Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, according to the Manchester Evening News.

In a piece written by Hitchon’s brother, Andrew, for the Telegraph and Argus, he reiterated just how much his late sibling had pushed to have one final on-camera chat.

‘Nick was a determined character, and it seems likely to me that he wanted to finish what he had started,’ he reflected.

He poignantly concluded: ‘I hope that 70 Up will bring [the cast] proper closure and allow them to let go of a phenomenon they have coexisted with for more than six decades.

‘Most of all, I hope filming that last interview did the same for Nick.’

70 Up episode one will air at 9pm on Tuesday, September 15 on ITV1. The second and last ever episode, featuring Nick Hitchon’s final interview, will air at 9pm on Tuesday, September 22.

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