BBC viewers beg bosses to 'reconsider' as final ever episode of much-loved show airs

After 23 years on the BBC, medical drama Doctors has aired its final episode. The broadcaster has confirmed that the last ever episode was shown today (Thursday, November 14).

After airing the final episode, BBC Doctors posted on X: “After over two decades, Doctors won’t be taking any more appointments!

“To our incredible fans, thank you for joining us through thousands of stories, twists, and heartfelt moments. Your loyalty and love have made every step of this journey worthwhile. Thank you for watching!”

Read more: Coronation Street fans make same Carla Connor observation as they find her 'new job' away from Underworld

Fans have taken to X to share their despair that the much-loved show has come to a permanent end.

Someone wrote: “The show has been with me through some tough times and was always such a comfort to me. I’ve been lucky to grow up with the show, and all of the lessons it’s taught along the way with its wonderfully told stories.”

Another Doctors fan commented: “I'm very sad about this. I've always enjoyed watching it for at least the last 12 years. Today is a sad day. A very sad day.”

People have spoken out to thank the team behind Doctors. Someone wrote: “Thanks for keeping us all entertained over the years”, and another person commented: “Thank you for 24 years of entertainment. Is okay to admit I did cry at the end.”

Many people have urged the BBC to reconsider axing the show and bring it back. One Doctors fan commented: “Horrific decision by BBC”, and another said: “I can’t believe that I won’t be watching Doctors in afternoons now. BBC are making a big mistake.”

Another person agreed that the BBC should consider keeping Doctors. They wrote: “Very sad it has come to the end. It was my favourite soap. Can't you reconsider and have it back in the new year??”

Doctors’ journey began with just 41 episodes commissioned for its debut in March 2000. But due to its instant hit status among viewers, BBC swiftly turned it into an ongoing series.

The BBC first announced their decision to axe Doctors back in October last year. At the time, the broadcaster explained: "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.”

Doctors is the second medical drama to have been axed by the BBC in recent years, following the decision to scrap Holby City in 2022. Just like Doctors, it ran for 23 years before BBC bosses decided to make the difficult decision to end the series.