Doctors fans break down in tears at final ever episode after BBC axed the soap over budget cuts

DOCTORS has come to an end today in an emotional final episode leaving viewers sobbing.

The medical drama came to an uplifting end with the Doctors managing to band together to banish evil medic Graham Elton and stop his hostile takeover of the surgery.

It also saw midwife Ruhma help a kidnapped pregnant woman give birth by fighting off her conspiracy theory-nut ex with a broom, pushing him over a balcony.

And Jimmy finally got to help a patient by removing compacted wax from his ears in typical Doctors fashion.

The episode ended with Zara returning to lead the revolt and fire Graham from the surgery, making it a partnership in the process.

A montage of all the medics treating patients played out with a goodbye to The Mill and viewers were left in tears.

One wrote: “I’m gonna cry all the very best wishes to Chris Walker and the rest of the team I love you all Xxxxxx”

A second said: “@BBCDoctors well done to all cast great final episode you will all be missed we love you.”

Another added: “Bye bye Graham but I’m gutted I won’t be watching this anymore 😞😞 @BBCDoctors”

The long-running BBC soap was axed after 23 years with the corporation citing budget cuts as a reason leaving cast and crew devastated.

The move has bene widely panned with industry leaders pointing out the show was a training hub and a major entry point into TV for working class talent.

A source said at the time: “Doctors has ticked along fairly quietly around the 1.3million viewers mark for years now without any word of cancellation, but the news will still come as a shock.

“A full cast and crew meeting was held today where the news was shared and then a lunch was laid on in the Drama Village cafe.

“Some of the cast and crew have been there since the soap first began and it really felt like a job for life, plus the soap is such a central pillar for the entire community - it employs so many contractors and freelance and is known to be a real rung on the ladders for British acting talent.

“While the impact on viewers might not seem huge, in terms of the industry this is seismic.”

A BBC statement added: "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.

"The final episode will screen in December 2024 and we are working closely with BBC Studios to give it the finale it deserves."