Doctors fans have launched a petition calling on the BBC not to follow through with their plan to cancel the long-running soap.
On Wednesday, October 18, the BBC confirmed that Doctors had been axed after 23 years on-air, and loyal viewers are now urging the broadcaster to walk back on their decision with a Change.org petition (which you can sign here) to save the soap.
(UPDATE: This article has been amended to link to another, more popular fan petition, which had more than 2000 signatures as of our update).
"The BBC has announced that Doctors will be axed and the last episode will be airing in December 2024. Doctors has a massive following so the news of the show being axed has come at quite a shock to the fans.", the post reads.
"Doctors has been on our TVs for 23 years and has addressed many issues that other programmes have never broached before and they are not afraid to rock the boat. Doctors has brought laughter, tears, comedy and love into our homes and hearts. The show is very unique to any other soap opera as they have a story of the day which brings different characters each episode.
"The show has also tackled/discussed various mental health issues with a whole week dedicated to mental health, multiple sexually transmitted illnesses, breastfeeding campaign, cancer, heart attack, stroke, lyme disease and a 'smears without fears' campaign. These are just some of the topics that have been shown to us on screen that may have saved lives. Doctors has also highlighted the struggles and pressures the NHS has been under both before the pandemic and after, over prescribing of medication, staff shortages and clinical staff being overworked.
"Doctors could be classed as just a program but if you think hard enough then you will realise it is more than that as it raises awareness of different issues/illnesses. Talented cast and crew will be losing their jobs. Up and coming talent will no longer have a start into the industry as Doctors has helped many writers, directors, producers and actors take their first steps.
"The fans have grown with the characters over the years and feel part of the ever changing Doctors family. Please sign this petition to save Doctors as the fight is not over. We need a program that reflects the NHS in an entertaining but also educational way."
At the time of writing, the petition has gained over 2000 signatures since its launch on Wednesday, October 18, and those who've signed it have shared how the decision to axe the show made them feel.
One fan said they had been watching Doctors since the very beginning and would be 'very sad and disappointed to see it go', whilst another called the move 'a terrible decision by the BBC' and a third said the soap was simply 'too good to end'.
In a statement about the show's cancellation, the BBC explained their 'difficult decision' came after production costs shot up.
"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."
They ended by thanking all the cast and crew who have been involved in the show's production, before promising that funding for the series would be reinvested in the West Midlands, the region where the show is filmed. They also promised Doctors would get 'the finale it deserves', so hopefully the series goes out on a high.
The final episode of Doctors will air in December 2024. The series continues to air from Monday to Thursday at 1.45 pm on BBC One and can be streamed on BBC iPlayer. And if you're looking for more shows to enjoy, check out our picks for the best BBC dramas you should be streaming right now.
