Popular BBC soap axed after 23 years with final episode date …

Doctors has been axed after 23 years on the flagship channel, with its final airing date already confirmed by producers. The BBC[1] medical drama has been gracing our screens since the turn of the century regularly stealing the lunchtime slot. But after more than two decades, the show will be coming to an end next year, with showrunner Kate Oates promising fans the programme will get the finale it deserves.

She confirmed that the latest episodes of the gripping drama will indeed be its last, with the show thought to be no longer affordable in the BBC's daytime budget. Filming will come to an end in March 2023, with the final episodes set to air in December that year.

In a lengthy statement, the BBC said: "We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime 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 license-fee, the BBC's finding 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." But producers promised loyal viewers that they will continue to support new talent.

They added: "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. The final episode will screen in December 2024 and we are working closely with BBC Studios to give it the finale it deserves."

BBC producers have promised fans the show will get the finale it deserves (Image: BBC)

Doctors follows the story of those who work in the NGS doctor's surgery and nearby university campus surgery set in the fictional town of Letherbridge in the heart of the West Midlands. Over the years, the drama has followed the lives of those on the front line as well as their friends and families.

The programme is known for its huge catalogue of guest stars and familiar extras including some famous faces before they made it big. Series producer Peter Eryl Lloyd had once estimated that they had over 800 guest stars on the drama in just one year.

Fans will be devastated to see the show come to an end (Image: BBC)

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Fans had long suspected the long-running shows would be getting the boot when it went on its usual summer break even earlier this year. Back in June, they confirmed the show would be going off air again until September 4. One viewer fumed at the time: "This is madness!!

It's getting earlier each year? You always used to break in July when Wimbledon started/ Why so early? I fear this may be headed for the chop." Another asked: "Why does this have to happen?

I get the stop for the tennis but goodness start back in August!"

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References

1. ^ BBC (www.dailystar.co.uk)
2. ^ Emmerdale's Amit star played villain on rival soap just months before Dales debut (www.dailystar.co.uk)
3. ^ Coronation Street Daisy Midgeley star's sexy stripper past at start of TV career (www.dailystar.co.uk)
4. ^ here (www.threads.net)
5. ^ here (www.dailystar.co.uk)