Doctors boss urges fans to stay away from set as soap films final scenes today – & string of huge stars are already gone

DOCTORS’ boss has urged fans to stay away from the BBC set as the soap films its final scenes today – and a string of huge stars have already gone.

It was revealed in October last year that Doctors would be coming to an end after 24 years on screen.

Since 2004, it has been filmed in the Selly Oak area of Birmingham and the production base is in the centre of the BBC’s Drama Village, which is on the University of Birmingham’s campus.

The location means fans are able to access the grounds quite easily, prompting bosses not to show up and interrupt the final day of filming.

Niall Fraser has worked as a director on Doctors since 2007, and he wrote in a post online: “I totally get that some of our loyal and lovely fans want to visit the set this coming week.

“We all appreciate that without the fans we wouldn’t even have made it to 23 years. But could you possibly find a way to make this point…

“Please please please do not visit on Friday. This will be a very emotional and difficult day for cast and crew.

“Also, please do not visit Tuesday AM, as due to the nature of what we will be filming we need a visitor free site. Wednesday & Thursday visits are not such a problem, but to exteriors only.

“There will be no access to interiors of sets, and security will be enforcing this. Much appreciated and huge love to all.”

Meanwhile Chris Walker, who plays Rob Hollins, has revealed on his social media that he has already filmed his final scenes.

Chris has been on the show since 2009, and his post prompted an outpouring of sadness from Doctors viewers on a fan forum.

One wrote: “Gutted. I am going to miss Rob.”

Another added: “Sad to see another soap going.”

Meanwhile on X – formerly Twitter – another shared: “It’s so sad! I love doctors watched it since day one. Was party of my maternity leave routine. My daughter used to love the music. @BBCDoctors I hope another channel put you on, x.”

One of the show’s writers, Philip Ralph, wrote a lengthy post about the impact of the show’s cancellation will have on the industry.

He wrote: “As a writer on the show for the past 19 years I’m personally impacted along with hundreds by the disastrous decision to axe it.

The loss of Doctors is clearly disastrous for those who worked on the show.

Philip Ralph, Doctors writer

“Doctors filmed 200+ episodes every year, each one starring the regular cast plus up to 3 guest actors, each one written by a writer , each one made by a full production crew. Each one produced, shot, and edited in Birmingham. In one fell swoop, from today, all of that is gone.”

He added: “There is no other show in the UK industry that offers such variety of storytelling – everything from high drama and tragedy, to farce, dream sequences, stand-alone single plays, themed weeks on important subjects, you name it, we wrote it.”

After making several more points, he continued: “So, the loss of Doctors is clearly disastrous for those who worked on the show. It is obviously disastrous for the industry. And, I would argue, it is also disastrous for the tone of public discourse.”

An official statement when the news of the shows axing was announced read: “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 airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.