BBC bosses have furiously denied claims that legendary soap Casualty will end after two more series, after sources claimed it was facing the axe.
Following reports that the show could be on its way out, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline that the show is “not going anywhere”.
However, the show, which first launched in 1986, is currently filming its 39th season. Sun had previously reported that series 40 was said to see the show end for good.
A spokesman said: “The withdrawals are not going anywhere, the latest new commissioning is simply part of the normal economic cycle.”
MailOnline understands that Casualty has always worked on a traditional rolling commission cycle, so renewal is to be expected.
BBC bosses have furiously denied claims that legendary soap Casualty will end after two series, after sources claimed it was facing the axe.
Following reports that the show could be on its way out, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline that the show is “not going anywhere”.
Staff were reportedly told that their latest contract renewal, for the next two years, could be their last.
A source told the publication: “Never mind life support, it seems Casualty has received his death sentence.”
‘The official message is that everything is fine because the program was recently recommissioned for two more years.
“But when that new round of contracts was signed, the response was: ‘two years and then we’ll be done.'” To be honest, no one was very surprised. This has been written on the wall for a long time now.’
In September, the drama saw its episode count reduced in a bid to save money amid the cost of living crisis when a mid-series hiatus was introduced.
A source said Sun: ‘Casualty peaked in the ’90s, when it was on our screens on Saturday nights almost all year round, and that’s what a lot of people expect.
‘The only year we saw a shorter series was in 2021 due to the pandemic, when all television productions were severely affected.
He added: “It now looks like the cost of living crisis could prove just as devastating.”
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: “This is not the first time the show has taken a break due to the busy autumn schedule.”
The show, which first launched in 1986, is currently filming its 39th series, however The Sun had previously reported that series 40 was said to see the show end for good.
‘Our priority is always to deliver quality in hours and, due to the huge inflation in drama production, we have made the decision to slightly reduce the number of episodes per year to maintain quality on screen for audiences. We have received no complaints from cast or crew and it will return to air later this year.
It was revealed earlier this week that Casualty will see the return of two fan-favorite characters for Derek Thompson’s final scenes as he steps away from his role as Charlie Fairhead.
Derek, 75, revealed in May that he was leaving the BBC soap after 37 years on the show.
He decided to leave his long-standing position after budget cuts were introduced, meaning the show would have fewer episodes.
And his character Charlie will leave the show in a gruesome way, as he will be killed in the form of a brutal stabbing.
For Derek’s final episodes, Casualty legends Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hannah) and Ian Bleasdale (Josh Griffiths) will return, according to Sun.
An epic two-part finale will see Charlie’s final days unfold after he is stabbed and left fighting for his life.
Returning under grim circumstances, Zoe and Josh will team up to be at their friend Charlie’s side.
Derek Thompson has revealed he is leaving Casualty after 37 years playing Charlie Fairhead.
For Derek’s final episodes, Casualty legends Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hannah) and Ian Bleasdale (Josh Griffiths) will return.
Sunetra appeared on the show between 2007 and 2016 before appearing as a guest in 2018.
Meanwhile, Ian, who plays paramedic Josh, was Casualty’s second-longest serving cast member, only surpassed by Derek.
The first of Charlie’s heartbreaking final episodes will air on Saturday and will show the doctor trying to prove that kindness prevails.
However, their plan to bridge the gap fails and distressing scenes see troubled patient Kyle stabbing Charlie after an argument in the pharmacy.
The doctors will do everything possible to save Charlie, but eventually the character will die.
Derek, who has played emergency department nurse Charlie Fairhead in nearly 900 episodes, is the medical drama’s longest-serving cast member.