BBC Holby City: Why the show has been axed after 23 years as final ever episode airs

29.03.2022 - 21:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

BBC's Holby City is coming to an end tonight after 23 years on screen. The drama series, which follows the highs and lows of staff and patients on the wards of fictional Holby City hospital, will air its final ever episode on Tuesday night.

Since the programme began in 1999, the hospital soap has been popular with BBC viewers and has run for 23 series. The first series began with an original cast of 11 main actors including Waterloo Road's Angela Griffin, former EastEnders actor Michael French and Manchester actor Ian Curtis, who each eventually left the show.

Throughout its 23 years on the BBC, characters have been introduced and written out with cast members including Patsy Kensit, Rosie Marcel, Bob Barrett, John Michie and the longest-serving cast member Hugh Quarshie.

READ MORE: BBC Holby City's David Ames says cast had 'no idea' show was ending

On June 2 2021, the BBC released a statement to announce that Holby City had been cancelled, and its final episode would be broadcast in March 2022. The 'difficult' decision was made as part of the broadcaster's plans to make more programmes to serve across the country.

The full statement read: “We are incredibly proud of Holby City but it’s with great sadness that we are announcing that after 23 years, the show will end on screen in March of next year.

“We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC’s commitment to make more programmes across the UK, we have taken the difficult decision to bring the show to a close in order to reshape the BBC’s drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing team at BBC Studios and all the cast