THE BBC’s Scott Mills was forced to make an embarrassing U-turn live on-air after holding a funeral service for Call The Midwife.
Scott, who hosts the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, devoted a whole segment to reports that the popular programme had been axed and would be ending for good after fifteen series, next year.
Scott Mills has been forced to issue an on-air apology this morning[/caption]
The star held a mock funeral service for Call the Midwife after wrongly telling fans it would not be coming back[/caption]
The radio presenter held a funeral-like service for the show this morning and even opened a phone line for gutted fans to call in to share their devastation about the news it had been cancelled.
But he was soon forced to do an embarrassing U-turn after bigwigs at the BBC handed him a statement to read to confirm that the show hadn’t been axed, despite the reports.
On the programme this morning, Scott opted to play funeral-style music as he discussed the news that the show had apparently been brought to an end.
Scott opened the segment by saying: “This morning, we woke up to the news that the show that never ends is indeed ending.
“I am sorry if this is how you are finding out.”
As he confirmed the show in question was Call the Midwife, he could be heard saying: “It is ending, the fifteenth series will be the last one.
“We opened our phone lines to offer you support in these times because we’ve all laughed and cried and gasped at some of the births.
“Lots of you have been messaging in and using the helpline.”
Scott then proceeded to play a slew of voice notes from heartbreaking fans who shared their love for the programme and some of their favourite moments.
One fan’s voice note even shared hopes that it “will come back” to which Scott could be heard insisting: “No it won’t.”
As the segment drew to a close, a mere ten minutes later, Scott could be heard delivering a grovelling apology after being forced by bosses to make a sensational U-turn as they insisted the drama wasn’t going anywhere.
Scott said: “Good Morning, I may have done a bad thing here so I’m going to read this prepared statement from the BBC which I’ve just received.”
He then read word-for-word a response from the BBC, which said: “The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come.
“As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. Call the Midwife isn’t going anywhere!”
Originally, The Daily Star reported the programme would wrap up after series 15 in 2026.
A source told the publication: “After years of drama and countless births, Call The Midwife is coming to an end.
Bosses forced Scott to make the U-turn and handed him a carefully written statement to read[/caption]
Reports originally suggested that the show would be ending for good[/caption]
“The team have decided it’s time to draw the show to a close and bow out.
“This is the last we’ll see of these much-loved characters. Storylines will tie up a lot of loose ends.”
Up to 11 million people watched the highly-anticipated episodes at any time since it first launched in 2012.
The show has won National Television Awards, TV Choice Awards and has received several BAFTA nominations.
Earlier this year, The Sun revealed fans would have more to look forward to – in the form of a prequel.
As it is to be set in World War II it could feature younger versions of older characters from Call the Midwife.
Call The Midwife: A breakdown
Call The Midwife first came onto the airwaves in 2012 and has been seen by millions. But what is it about?
Series one: Set in early 1957 and it explored the ‘Baby Boom generation, which included themes of poverty and post-war immigration.
Series two: Set in 1958 and it showed gas and air being introduced for pain relief for the first time. It ended with the Nonnatus House building being condemned.
Series three: Set in 1959 and it depicted gruesome conditions such as cystic fibrosis, polio and it showed the midwives in the context on prisons.
Series four: Set in 1960 under the threat of nuclear warfare and the emergency response guidelines issued by the local Civil Defence Corp. Other themes included LGBT rights, and syphilis.
Series five: Set in 1961 and it shows the care of patients with conditions such as Typhoid and strokes. We also saw the effects of thalidomide, the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Series six: Set in 1962 and domestic violence was at the centre of the season. Other themes included FGM (female genital mutilation), mental health issues and interracial marriage. It was also notable for the introduction of Reggie, a recurring character with Down Syndrome.
Series seven: Set in 1963 and we see Nurse Lucille Anderson for the first time. We also see the show address conditions such as dementia, huntington’s disease, leprosy and meningitis
Series eight: Set in 1964 and it bravely covered the issue of abortion, which was not legal for another three years in 1967. Sickle cell disease, cleft lip, cleft palate and intersex people also featured.
Series nine: Diptheria was at the centre of the ninth instalment in 1965, and it was notable for featuring a blind expectant mother. But the role of Nonnatus House within the community also came into question.
Series ten: Set in 1966, Nonnatus House has a rival in the form of the private Lady Emily Clinic in Mayfair. PKU, diabetes and the controversy surrounding abortion were central themes.
Series eleven: Set in 1967 amid the housing crisis and a scabies epidemic. The show was rocked by a train crash right next to Nonnatus House.
Call the Midwife will be getting new spin-offs as opposed to further full-length series[/caption]
