BBC bosses have furiously denied claims that legendary soap Casualty will end after two more series after sources claimed it was facing the axe.
Following reports that the show could be on its way out, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline that the show is ‘not going anywhere’.
However, the show, which first launched in 1986, is currently filming its 39th series The sun had previously reported that series 40 would see the end of the show for good.
A spokesperson said: ‘Victims don’t go anywhere, final recommissioning is simply part of the normal operating cycle.’
MailOnline understands that Casualty has always operated on a traditional cycle of ongoing commissions, so the extension is to be expected.
BBC bosses have furiously denied claims that legendary soap Casualty will end after two series after sources claimed it was facing the ax
Following reports that the show could be on its way, a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline that the show is ‘not going anywhere’
Staff were reportedly told that their latest contract extension, for the next two years, could be their last.
An insider told the publication: ‘Never mind life support, it feels like Casualty has now been given its death sentence.
‘The official word is that all is well as the show has recently been recommissioned for another two years.
‘But when that new round of contracts was signed, the feedback was: ‘Two years, then we’re done. To be honest, no one was very surprised. The writing has been on the wall for some time now.”
In September, the drama’s episode count was scaled back in an effort to save money amid the cost of living crisis, when a mid-series hiatus was introduced.
A source said The sun: ‘The number of victims peaked in the 1990s when it was on our screens almost year-round on Saturday evenings, and that is what many people now expect.
‘The only year in which a shorter series was shown was in 2021 due to the pandemic, when all TV productions were severely affected.
Adding: ‘Now it appears the cost of living crisis could be just as devastating.’
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: ‘This is not the first time the show has taken a break due to its busy autumn schedule.
The show, which first launched in 1986, is currently filming its 39th series, but The Sun had previously reported that series 40 would see the end of the show for good.
‘Our priority is always to deliver quality across hours and due to the massive inflation in drama production we have made the decision to slightly reduce the number of episodes per year to maintain the quality on screen for the audience. We have received no complaints from cast and crew and the film will be back on air later this year.”
Earlier this week it was revealed that Casualty will see the return of two fan favorite characters in Derek Thompson’s final scenes as he steps away from his role as Charlie Fairhead.
Derek, 75, revealed in May that he would be leaving the BBC series after 37 years on the show.
He chose to leave his long-standing role after budget cuts were made, meaning the show would see fewer episodes.
And his character Charlie will make a grisly exit from the show as he is about to be murdered in the form of a brutal stabbing.
For Derek’s final episodes, Casualty legends Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hannah) and Ian Bleasdale (Josh Griffiths) will return, according to reports The sun.
In an epic two-part finale, Charlie’s final days unfold after he is stabbed and left to fight for his life.
In bleak circumstances, Zoe and Josh return to be by their friend Charlie’s side.
Derek Thompson has revealed he is leaving Casualty after 37 years playing Charlie Fairhead
For Derek’s final episodes, Casualty legends Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hannah) and Ian Bleasdale (Josh Griffiths) return
Sunetra appeared on the program between 2007 and 2016 before making a guest appearance in 2018.
Meanwhile, Ian, who plays paramedic Josh, was Casualty’s second-longest serving cast member after Derek.
The first of Charlie’s heartbreaking final episodes airs on Saturday and shows the Doctor trying to prove that kindness prevails.
However, his plan to bridge the gap fails and in harrowing scenes, troubled patient Kyle stabs Charlie after an argument at the pharmacy.
The doctors will do everything they can to save Charlie, but in the end the character will die.
Derek, who has played emergency room nurse Charlie Fairhead in nearly 900 episodes, is the longest-serving cast member on the medical drama.
