SOAP fans reckon another beloved BBC soap is about to get the chop after the cancellation of Doctors.
On October 18, 2023, The Sun exclusively revealed that the medical drama had been axed by the broadcaster after 23 years.
The soap is being taken off air following falling ratings and rising costs.
A source told The Sun: “Doctors has ticked along fairly quietly around the 1.3million viewers mark for years now without any word of cancellation, but the news will still come as a shock.
“A full cast and crew meeting was held today where the news was shared and then a lunch was laid on in the Drama Village cafe.
In a statement the BBC said: “We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime drama Doctors to an end after 23 years…
“With super inflation in drama production, the cost of the programme has increased significantly, and further investment is also now required to refurbish the site where the show is made, or to relocate it to another home…
“With a flat licence-fee, the BBC’s funding challenges mean we have to make tough choices in order to deliver greater value to audiences. We remain fully committed to the West Midlands and all of the funding for Doctors will be reinvested into new programming in the region…
“We would like to thank all the Doctors cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 2000. We know the crucial role Doctors has played in nurturing talent, and we will work to develop new opportunities to support skills in scripted programming…
They closed by saying that the last episode will air in December 2024 and that they are “working closely” with BBC Studios to “give it the finale it deserves.”
However, many are concerned and convinced that BBC’s Casualty will be the next show to be cancelled.
Taking to X/Twitter, one fan wrote: “What has the BBC got against popular medical dramas? first Holby City gets cancelled now Doctors? Casualty need to be watching their backs.”
Another added: “Sad but not surprised. I figured one of the three BBC soaps (EastEnders, Doctors, Casualty) would go due to budget issues. Doctors or Casualty seemed most likely. I feel for the cast and crew.”
A third agreed: “Why was I expecting Casualty (even though it has improved a lot in the last year).”
A fourth echoed: “This doesn’t surprise me to be honest, very sad news for its fans, cast and production team. The BBC cuts haven’t helped. They are up to their tricks with Casualty as well at the moment. Makes you wonder where the future of standard TV is heading.”
It comes after fans slammed the BBC recently for failing to provide a return date for Casualty, which is now on hiatus.
