octors is coming to an end after over two decades but it’s not all doom and gloom as the soap opera could make a shock return like Neighbours.

The BBC medical soap opera, which is set in the fictional town of Letherbridge, has followed the lives of staff and patients of a Midlands GP for the past 24 years.

However, in October last year, the BBC said it would be cancelled, after “super inflation in drama production” led to costs significantly rising.

The shock announcement led super-fan Carys Ashby to set up the 9,000-signature petition to try to save the show, but as the last of more than 4,500 episodes is broadcast, she has accepted defeat, saying its final bow represents the “end of an era”.

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As the final episode airs on Thursday (November 14), showbiz specialist Kayley Cornelius has given some hope that Doctors could return in the future but not as fans currently know it.

Speaking on behalf of Betfred Lotto, Kayley Cornelius said: “Traditional broadcasters are locked in an ongoing battle with streaming services, as more people turn to subscriptions like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime.

“However, for a show to run for 24 years with over 4,500 episodes is a testament to its popularity, and producers won’t ignore the thousands of devastated fans hoping for it to continue.

“With next year marking the show’s 25th anniversary, it’s entirely possible that a platform like Netflix or Amazon Prime—which previously revived Channel 5’s Neighbours—might step in. These platforms have the budget to develop the series and could launch an anniversary special as a trial to gauge demand and assess its long-term potential.”

She continued: “That said, while Doctors could indeed be poised for a comeback, it may come with significant changes to the cast, scripts, and settings to refresh the format and appeal to a broader audience. So, while some core elements may remain, this is likely the end of Doctors as we currently know it.”

Soap fans will know that Australian serial drama Neighbours was previously axed by bosses but was later revived just months later by Amazon Freevee.