Nathan Carter[]
Whilst the character 'Nathan Carter' stopped featuring on the programme as a series regular after the third episode of the second series, the actor who portrayed the character, Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith (or better known as his stage name 'Doc Brown') continued to work behind the scenes of the programme. There could be several unknown reasons as to why the actor decided to stop featuring on the show as a series regular so soon into the programme beginning. One reason that might explain this is that the actor would soon later be involved in and star in an puppetry-computer generated imagery (CGI) animated programme called Strange Hill High made for and aired on CBBC. Strange Hill High had only two series, with the first series airing in 2013 and the second series airing in 2014. It is possible therefore that the production of the two series of Strange Hill High would have coincided with the filming of the second and third series of the 4 O' Clock Club which could explain the fact of the character 'Nathan Carter' whom the actor portrayed not being prominently featured in the programme anymore after the first series. The actor still would continue to work behind the scenes of the 4 O' Clock Club before leaving the programme altogether after the filming of the fourth series, which obviously explains why the character 'Nathan Carter' whom the actor portrayed hasn't been in the programme at all - not even continuing to make sporadic appearances anymore - since the finale of the fourth series.
Guest Appearances of Nathan Carter[]
The character 'Nathan Carter' first appeared merely as a guest (ten episodes after the departure as a series regular ) on the programme in the finale of the second series. The character 'Nathan Carter' also appeared in both the first and the second episodes of the third series (the character 'Nathan Carter' had a much bigger part to play [compared to his first guest appearance in the final of the second series] in the story in those two episodes more so in the second episode than the first). The character 'Nathan Carter' also appeared merely as a guest in the seventh episode (although the character really didn't do much in the seventh episode apart from just affecting another character called 'Josh Carter' 's storyline in the episode) in and the finale of the fourth series.
Overall, the character 'Nathan Carter' made five guest appearances in the programme in total after resigning from the role of being a series regular since the third episode of the second series of the programme.
The Theme Song[]
The Theme Song Used For The First Series[]
The opening theme song for the first series was sung by Khalil Madovi, the actor who portrayed the character 'Josh Carter' on the programme and by the actor, Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith (or better known as his stage name 'Doc Brown'). The actor Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith, portraying the character of 'Nathan Carter' was the person seen swinging the decks before the actual tune for the programme had started.
The Theme Song Used For The Second Series[]
The opening theme for the second series mostly stayed the same as the theme song used for the first series albeit with a few changes. The opening theme song was sung exactly the same in the parts of where the actor, Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith (or better known as his stage name 'Doc Brown'), who portrayed the character 'Nathan Carter' in the programme appears to be singing however in the parts where Khalil Madovi, the actor who portrayed the character 'Josh Carter' on the programme seems to be singing, the voice used seems to sound considerably deeper (compared to the voice Khalil Madovi sung in the first series) [Khalil Madovi 's voice had deepened as a result of puberty] despite that, the parts which in where Khalil Madovi sings, the voice used seems to sound exactly same as the voice Khalil Madovi had in the first series. This could means that the version of the ending theme song in the second series was carried over from the first series. Despite the fact that the character 'Nathan Carter' was resigned from the role of being a series regular after the third episode of the second series, the actor Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith, who portrayed the character of 'Nathan Carter' was still the person seen swinging the decks before the actual tune for the opening theme song had started for the rest of the second series.
The Theme Song Used For The Third Series[]
The opening theme song for the third series only just for the the first episode, had the exact same opening theme from the second series with no changes whatsoever but from the second episode of the third series, several changes would occur - in which four animated versions of other characters in the programme (Ashley ''Ash'' Newman, Agness Addo, Zoe Marie, Crispin Bell and Dexter Harris) would be added. The animated version of the character 'Nathan Carter' would effectively stop (this makes sense considering, the character 'Nathan Carter' had stopped being a series regular since the third episode of the second series, twelve episodes earlier) being in the opening theme song. For the first time ever - a character which clearly shown to be in
The Theme song Used For The Fourth Series[]
The opening theme song for the fourth series now had Nero swinging the decks before the tune played with him and Dexter now being the ones to sing the opening theme song. Even though Dexter had become the replacement of Nathan Carter from the fourth episode of series onwards, he never become one of the people to swing the decks, in series 2-3, it was because Josh was still actively in the programme at that time and even though the person swinging the decks was Nathan Carter from series 2 - series 3 ep1, you could say that Josh was still involved in the programme as the younger brother to Nathan Carter, the theme deserved to remain unchanged. However by Series 3 ep2 to series 3 ep13, Josh now became the person to swing the decks, a role reversal from the oldest to the youngest, which makes sense considering series 3 had the biggest changes that then became mainstream from the later series past the third series
With Josh leaving the programme in the fourth series followed by two guest appearances in the seventh and thirteenth episode of series 4 before he who just like Nathan was never seen in the programme again. Nero became the main person to swing the decks in the theme song from series 4-7 but why wasn't Dexter the main person to swing the decks rather than Nero? One reason is that Nero is related to Nathan and Josh, being their younger maternal cousin whilst Dexter had no relations to them at all which explains why he wasn't the one to swing the decks as the programme still needed to link it to the main two original characters.
When Nero left the programme in the fourth episode of the seventh series, the same theme song with Nero being the one to still swing the decks until the end of the seventh series. You could ask why didn't the theme song change from series 7 ep 5 onwards just like it did from series 3 ep 2 - series 3 ep 13. Its because Josh was related to Nathan by being his younger brother and Nero was related to them being their younger maternal cousin, so when Nero left in series 7 ep 4, there was no link to Nathan and Josh anymore so the theme song was still kept the same until series 8, when they definitely had to change it as this was going to be the first series to not really feature Nero at all apart from the ninth episode which ironically never had a theme song at all.
The Theme Used In The Eight Series[]
The first episode of the eight series of the 4'o clock club, featured CJ being the person to swing the decks in the theme song, however from series 8 ep2 - series 9 ep13, Polly became the person to swing the decks in the opening theme song. It's reasonable for CJ to be the person to swing the decks in the theme song only for the first episode as that episode focused on his father, Mr Bell completely with the rest of the characters in the programme making less of an impact in this episode.
Raps[]
The third series introduced the 'second generation' meaning Nero and his friends. The third series was the first one to let minor characters to rap as well as from the first two series, the main two characters were the only ones that were able to rap which was Nathan and Josh from series 1 ep 1 - series 2 ep 3 and then it was Dexter and Josh from series 2 ep4- series 3 ep2. Nero who also became a main character had his first rap in the third episode of the third series considering he was going to be a replacement for Josh from series 4-series 7 ep4. However the fifth episode of the third series, Mr bell became the first minor character to have his own dignified rap, from then on it became common for the minor characters in the programme to rap too. Josh's friends that stayed over to this series also had their own dignified raps too in the eleventh episode of series 3. They also would also say significant lines in the the first and second main character's rap, such as in Josh's raps mostly and even some in Nero's raps too, this type of thing also occurred in the first and second series too. However the main two people that would say significant lines in Nero was his two friends Eli and Owen. By series 4, it become common for every prominent teacher and every minor character to rap too.
Main Characters.[]
With Nero leaving the programme in the fourth episode of the seventh series of the 4'o clock club, There was no actual main character from Series 7 ep 5-series 8 ep 13. There was no significant teacher in the programme, however Danny became the fake one appearing as the significant teacher in the theme song and in series 8 itself like Dexter was to Josh and Nero and what Nathan was to Josh. With also no link to Nathan and Josh at all, Polly became the 'main' character as a result series 8 began to feel like a chunky mess and with no Nero to save the day, the show began to decline even further until its eventual cancellation after the ninth series, it's a shame considering they were starting to shake up things up in a while.
Series 9 was a soft reboot, with PC Emily Rowe becoming a major character in the programme having being irregularly appearing in the programme since she first joined the cast in series 2 ep4. This series also introduced not only introduced one but two official main characters, being Reise and Coco and Mr Clinton became the main replacement for Nathan Carter. The theme song still featured Polly swinging the decks despite series 9 finding an actual main character group now. However since there were two main characters now, it would have been impossible for two people to share swinging the decks in the opening theme song and it would be unfair to choose between them but at least their cartoon counterparts were on the decks before the opening theme song finished and they were the ones to sing the credits or ending theme song of series 9. If the show had continued on for another two series at least as most fans of the show at least wanted the show to finish when Amber's year was finishing sixth form, which would have been in series 11, considering they were in year 11 in series 9 but Reise and Coco's year would have only been in year 9 in series 11 in that case having only a three year run just like Josh's year did. It was clear that the addition of magnus and henry meant that the show would now have a third generation group with the first one being Nero and his friends and with the second generation being Amber and her friends. However their time was cut short as a result of the programme being cancelled after the ninth series.
Age[]
Khalil Madovi was exactly thirteen years old when he filmed the first series of the programme, and his character Josh was also explicitly confirmed to be 13 and currently in year 9 in series 1 as in the fourth episode of the first series, was about him trying to not fail his year 9 maths test. In the second series, Khalil Madovi was exactly 14 when he was filming it and his Character Josh was confirmed to be 14 and currently in year 10 too. In the third series Khalil Madovi was exactly 15 when he was filmed it and his character Josh was confirmed to be 15 and currently in year 11 too, this makes sense considering Josh left the show at this point to pursue his dreams at a music college, which why he couldn't stay on until he was in his last year of sixth form, which would have been in series 5.
The Actor who played Nero Johnson, Akai Osei was 14 when he was filming the third series despite his character Nero being 11 and in year 7. When series 4 came around, Nero was supposed to be 12 and in year 8 but his actor Akai was actually 15. In series 5, Nero was supposed to be in year 9 and 13 years old but his actor Akai was actually 16. In series 6, Nero was supposed to be in year 10 and 14 years old but his actor Akai was actually 17. As a result of this inconsistency, when Nero was supposed to be 15 and in year 11 when he left in series 7, Akai was actually 18, when he was filming it.
Exits[]
The actor who played Mr Byron, left the show shortly after the production of series 1 had finished, the show explained Mr Byron's exit by saying that he had moved somewhere in south America to teach kids there instead. When Danny, Maddie and Jack all left the programme after the ending of series 8, Mr Bell acknowledged Maddie's absence from the show in the first episode of series 9 but no real reason as to why was given in the first place but what's strange is that nobody seemed to have acknowledged Danny and Jack's absences either.
But What's even worse is the exit of Eli Grant, who also left the show after series 8, In series 9, nobody including his friends acknowledged the fact Eli wasn't in the show anymore, as well not giving a reason for him leaving in the first place, so they forgot all about him and acted like he wasn't in the show after all despite him being a main staple of the show since he joined in series 3. Rumours could be that the actor who played Eli had beef going on behind the screens as a result, the writers made all his friends forget all about his existence acting like he wasn't in the show at all rather than acknowledging his absence from the programme, let alone giving a reason for it in the first place.
Guest appearances[]
The actors who played Ryan and Molly made their final appearances in the third episode of series 3 and were never seen in the programme again, they couldn't or wouldn't make guest appearances in the programme just like many of their co-stars did, hell they didn't even want to be in the flashbacks, that's when you know, they were done with this show quite early on.
The actor who played Agness made their final appearance as a guest on the thirteenth and final episode of series 4 already making a guest appearance earlier on the first episode of series 4. The person who plays Ash would make his final guest appearance in the first episode of series six but the person who played Zoe Marie made the most amount of guest appearances by appearing in the show in series 4, series 5, series 6, and series 9.
Discovery[]
The sudden fact that Mr Bell has a son in series six, even though the actor who plays CJ looks nothing like Mr Bell, CJ has a pointy down turned nose whilst Mr Bell has a much larger bulbous nose, I know it's impossible to find an actor who'll fit the mould but they could have at least found someone else to play CJ with a better reassembleness to Mr Bell considering they are supposed to be father and son.
The sudden fact Owen has an annoying little brother in series six. The last discovery is Mr Nunn having a son in the ninth series. The actor playing Henry bares some ressembleness to Mr Nunn, so that's a good fit, however due to the programme getting cancelled after series nine, his character was never developed unlike CJ and Chester who had much more time in the show.
Learning from their mistakes.[]
This part is about CBBC in general, not just about the show. CBBC eventually caught whiff of the 4'o clock club losing popularity and series 9 being a soft reboot was 4'o clock club's last chance to prove to CBBC to give them another chance, another series, however series 9 didn't do very well in terms of reception, only being slightly better than series 8, CBBC also knowing how damn long this show has already run for, pulled the plug on the show and cancelled it.
However what about the Dumping Ground? The dumping ground first aired a year later after 4'o clock club first did and from series 1-2 the dumping ground had 13 episodes each series just like the 4'o clock club did, however with series 3 onwards the show now had 20 something episodes each series and it ruined the show even more as time went on, so the Dumping ground has way more content than the 4'o clock club has, despite this CBBC still kept the show going on, as result the Dumping Ground won and the 4'o clock club lost as The dumping ground got commissed a tenth series whilst the 4'o clock club was cancelled after its ninth series.
So why didn't the Dumping ground get cancelled but 4'o clock club did? The dumping ground is stronger than the 4'o clock club, as it's part of a huge franschire being a spin off after Tracy Beaker returns and The story of Tracy Beaker too. Whilst Tracy Beaker themselves was never in this show apart from series 6. The fact, that many characters from Tracy Beaker Returns swapped over to the Dumping Ground helped their case of wanting a series 10 too with Jody staying on the programme the longest since she was first seen in the third series of tracy beaker returns. However with Jody gone now, being the last link to it, the dumping ground doesn't really have much of a chance to being deserving of getting another series. With CBBC shutting down as a channel and becoming iplayer only in 2025, i'll be honestly be suprised if this stupid show gets another series. However with Tracy Beaker rising in popularity again with shows such my mum tracy beaker and the beaker girls. this could either be a case of the dumping ground deserving to get another series simply because the franschire is too big or to cancel it because the shows that actually feature Tracy Beaker deserve more focus which has only one series and three episodes extra, whilst the dumping ground has been going on for much longer and has ten series at this point.
The 4'o clock club, however was only one show on its own and just like the dumping ground, it has been faced with critism for how the show has declined over the years, with not even the original creator there to save it, whilst also having such a confusing revolving cast of characters. CBBC decided to pull the plug on this show first and cancelled it.