Nick Hitchon, a participant in the seminal "Seven Up!" documentary series, will make a posthumous appearance in the final installment, "70 Up." Hitchon filmed his last interview for the series just three days before his death in July 2023. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer and had previously revealed he was "seriously ill" and could only focus on the "short-term future."
The "Seven Up!" series, created by Michael Apted, began in 1964 and has tracked the lives of a group of British children from diverse backgrounds every seven years. Hitchon, a scientist and professor at the University of Wisconsin, was first filmed for the series in 1964 at the age of seven. He had been living in Wisconsin at the time of his death at age 65.
Hitchon had asked the TV crew to include his final scenes in "70 Up." In the upcoming documentary, he is shown going to the hospital and being assisted into a wheelchair. He had previously spoken in "63 Up" about his cancer diagnosis and a stroke he suffered. "I had a stroke last autumn and apparently they asked numerous times if they should just let me die," Hitchon said in an interview. "I had no idea I was going to be this ill and I had no idea I was going to keep living."
Most of the original cast members have participated in "70 Up." Lynn Johnson, another original cast member, died in 2013. Charles Furneaux, who opted out of the "28 Up" installment, has returned for the final film. Viewers are being cautioned to expect an emotional viewing experience due to Hitchon's appearance and subsequent death.
Hitchon, the son of a farmer from the Yorkshire Dales, went on to become a nuclear fusion scientist. He studied physics at Merton College, Oxford, and later earned a doctorate in engineering science. He joined the University of Wisconsin in 1982 and remained there as a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering until his retirement.
He told producer Claire Lewis about his diagnosis, requesting one final interview. "We all decided that we should make another film and (began) looking for a director," Lewis stated. The "Seven Up!" series was inspired by the Jesuit maxim, "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man." Initially planned as a one-off special, the project evolved into a recurring documentary following the participants throughout their lives.
Hitchon's passing marks the second death among the original group of 14 participants. He had been married to Jacqui Bush since 1979. He reflected on his personal journey in "63 Up," stating, "I'm still the same little kid, really. I think I can relate to that little guy who was all eager and all earnest trying to answer all the questions."