Cash-strapped Channel 4 sparks axe fears as bosses bring production on beloved show to a halt after 13 years
CHANNEL 4 has sparked axe fears after pulling the plug on production of one of their most beloved shows.
Bosses at the cash-strapped broadcaster have halted filming on 24 Hours in A&E.
The fan-favourite medical series has been a staple of the Channel 4 schedule since its debut in 2011.
It follows the day-to-day activity in St George’s accident and emergency department and most recently in Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham.
More episodes were set to be shot this autumn, however, C4 have informed production staff it now won’t be happening.
The Garden, who is the production company behind the hit show, broke the news today to around 190 crew.
In an email obtained by Broadcast, bosses said they “offered the channel every measure we could to try and avert it, but I’m afraid we weren’t able to avoid it”.
While saying it was “extremely disappointed” by the move, they added they were committed to keeping discussions open with Channel 4 to “safeguard its future”.
Fans of the show will still get to enjoy the series despite the move, with stacks of episodes waiting to be aired.
24 Hours in A&E has aired more than 300 episodes to date across 29 seasons.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “Whilst we’re not filming more new episodes this autumn, we have a high number of recently filmed but not yet aired episodes, which means we’ll continue to bring all the behind-the-scenes access from Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham’s A&E department.
“Channel 4 always looks to provide a mix of new shows and familiar returners and 24 Hours in A&E remains an important part of that distinctive blend. We’ll make a recommission decision at an appropriate time, once we’ve aired more of the episodes we have already filmed.”
Channel 4 has faced increasing money woes in the past year resulting in the axe being brought down on some of their biggest shows.
Last year chiefs shocked fans when they announced the end of Steph’s Packed Lunch.
They also cancelled a planned reboot of Four Weddings just weeks before production was due to begin.
It’s latest reality format Scared of the Dark and Rise and Fall were also canned after just one series.
However, in a good sign, they officially green-lit Paddy McGuinness’ Tempting Fortune for an extended run after The Sun first revealed it’s recommission.