The BBC has hit out at claims that Casualty will be axed in two years.

Although the cast recently signed two year contracts, it was recently reported
that the show will end after its 40th season.

Casualty’s first episode aired in 1986 and filming is currently underway for its 39th series, but fans have been fearful it could be taken off screens.

However, thankfully, bosses have now insisted the show is here to stay.
A spokesperson for the BBC told MailOnline that Casualty ‘isn’t going anywhere.’

Previously a source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: ‘Never mind on life support, it feels like Casualty has now received its death warrant.

‘The official messaging is that all is well because the show was recently recommissioned for two more years.
‘But when that new round of contracts were 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 a while now.’

Meanwhile, back in September it was revealed that Casualty was to have its number of episodes cut because of the cost of living crisis.

A TV insider claimed to The Sun that ‘Casualty peaked in the noughties when it was on our screens on a Saturday night almost all year round, and that’s what many people have come to expect.’

‘The only year that saw a shorter series was in 2021 because of the pandemic, when all TV productions were severely affected,’ they continued.

‘Now it seems the cost of living crisis could prove just as devastating.’

A BBC spokesperson said at the time: ‘This is not the first time the show has taken a break due to the busy autumn schedule.

‘Our priority is always delivering quality over hours and due to super inflation in drama production we’ve taken the decision to slightly reduce the number of episodes per year in order to maintain the quality.

‘We’ve received no complaints from cast and crew, and it will be back on air later this year.’

Speculation surrounding Casualty’s future comes after one soap legend quit and landed himself a new role.

Derek Thompson has played Charlie Fairhead since the very first episode, meaning viewers were gutted when it was announced last year that he would be leaving.

At the time, Derek said: ‘The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years. Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse – Pete Salt.

‘Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.’

With Charlie set to leave in due course, it has since been revealed Derek has been cast in the next series of Blue Lights.