The cancelled BBC series Doctors returned to television screens on Monday after being off air for months.
The legendary medical drama returned to the BBC’s schedule this bank holiday, but viewers are preparing for the worst.
Doctors had taken their usual break earlier this summer and aired the first of their final run of shows before the final episode in December after 23 years.
Viewers watched as Paige surprised Bear, while there were questions over whether Michelle would rekindle her relationship with an old flame.
Fans were quick to take to X (formerly known as Twitter) to claim it’s “cruel” for the BBC to bring back the series after a long hiatus and then cancel it.
The cancelled BBC series Doctors returned to television screens on Monday after being off the air for months
Doctors had taken their usual break earlier this summer and aired the first of their final run of shows before the final episode in December after 23 years.
They wrote: ‘It seems cruel to put the series back on the air after such a long break to end it soon. If only you were still on. Hooray!!!!! It’s about time… I missed it.’
“I can’t wait. It’s been too long. I’m still absolutely devastated that the fabulous Doctors will be ending for good very soon.”
“Why does it have to end? People love it and it’s much more entertaining than a cooking show or a sports show.”
The BBC is to axe Doctors after 23 years amid falling ratings and rising costs.
The cast and crew of the iconic soap opera were reportedly summoned to a meeting with network bosses where they learned the tragic news last October after an attempt to move the show to primetime failed to attract viewers.
Revealing the news in a statement, the BBC said: ‘We have taken the very difficult decision to end the daytime drama Doctors after 23 years.
‘With the super inflation in drama production, the cost of the show has increased significantly, and now more investment is also required to renovate the venue where the show is held or move it to another location.
‘With a fixed licence fee, the BBC’s funding challenges mean we have to make tough choices to deliver greater value to audiences.
Fans were quick to take to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their “cruelty” on the part of the BBC for bringing back the series after a long hiatus only to cancel it.
‘We remain fully committed to the West Midlands and all funding for Doctors will be reinvested into new programmes in the region.
‘We would like to thank all the cast and crew of Doctors who have been involved with the show since 2000.
‘We know the crucial role Doctors has played in developing talent and will work to develop new opportunities to support skills in scripted programming.
‘The final episode will air in December 2024 and we are working closely with BBC Studios to give it the ending it deserves.’
Doctors first debuted their famous lunchtime slot in 2000.
Cast and crew were delighted in February 2022 when bosses promoted it to a primetime slot on BBC Two after axing Holby City.
However, ratings did not improve and after just eight weeks the soap opera returned to its regular lunchtime slot.
In the wake of the cost of living crisis and “superinflation in drama production”, BBC bosses have been forced to make significant cuts to its flagship series.
The channel has struggled to keep up with big-budget dramas from growing streaming services, as well as a decision to freeze its licence fee for two years.
During its 23-year run, Doctors has boosted the careers of many favourite actors, including now Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (pictured in the soap in 2003).
Emilia Clarke’s first acting role was in a 2009 episode of Doctors called Empty Nest as Saskia Mayer before her worldwide “Mother of Dragons” status.
This also includes Saturday staple Casualty, which will have its usual number of episodes cut.
Set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, Doctors follows the staff at an NHS GP surgery and a university campus, as well as their personal lives.
When it first debuted, only 41 episodes of the show were ordered, but after its positive reception, it became an ongoing soap opera.
By 2022, Doctors was attracting an annual average of 1.6 million live viewers during its daytime broadcast.
The soap’s longest-running cast member is Adrian Lewis Morgan, who joined as Jimmi Clay in 2005.
Doctors was also famous for featuring hundreds of extras and guest stars each year.
Big names who have appeared on the soap include Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Denise Welch, Jodie Comer and Eddie Redmayne.
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