Actress Niamh Walsh has paid tribute to the cast of Holby City as the final episode aired on Monday night.
The BBC announced last year that it had made the "difficult decision" to bring the medical drama to a close after 23 years in order to "reshape the BBC’s drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country".
It stated that this was to help "make room for new opportunities" as part of the broadcaster’s "commitment to make more programmes across the UK". Smother star Niamh, who played nurse Cara on the show, opened up about her sadness when the show ended.
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She said: "Holby City was my first proper job out of drama school and where I met some of the kindest, most generous, best actors I've ever worked with. Goodby from me and Nurse Cara."
A number of past characters appeared in Tuesday's finale which saw the death of surgeon Jac Naylor, played by Rosie Marcel who has appeared in the show since 2005, following a long-running storyline about the effects of a brain tumour.
The episode showed the dedication of colleagues who tried to save her and also highlighted the lives that can be saved and enriched through organ donations. It also featured the reappearance of past characters including Ric Griffin, played by Hugh Quarshie, and Mo Effanga, played by Chizzy Akudolu.
After the show aired, Akudolu tweeted: "This is actually breaking my heart. Holby meant so much to so many people, including me. I’m in bits. Didn’t think it would affect me like this…" She added: "Thank you Holby City for changing my life."
Catherine Russell, who reprised her role as Serena Campbell, tweeted a series of photos from her time on the show, adding: "It really was like family." While Dawn Steele, who plays Ange Godard, tweeted: "Thank you, what an amazing job it was. So sad. What a message though – thank you NHS."
Lucinda Dryzek, who played Jac Naylor’s sister Jasmine Burrows, posted: "To all the Holby family, you really were the best. And you will be truly missed. And I’m so grateful to have been a part of it."
Belinda Owusu, who played Nicky McKendrick, said: "Beyond grateful to have been a part of the magic." Former EastEnders star Davood Ghadami, who joined Holby last year as Eli Ebrahimi, said it was the "end of an era".
He added: "I was just getting in the warm glow of the brilliant people who had been working on that show for all those years. They are the best in the business. Goodbye Holby City and thank you."
Casualty bosses also released a message commemorating the end of Holby, and promising to keep the fire burning in memory of the drama. "It breaks our hearts that our beloved sister show, Holby City, had ended tonight," the message reads.
"For twenty years we have loved our hospital with our friends in Elstree. Like many of the British public we have laughed, cried and been thoroughly entertained by the great characters of Keller, Darwin and beyond.
"We will miss you Holby City and we pay tribute to our many great colleagues who have poured their hearts into the success of your show. We are proud to keep the Holby City flag flying and promise to keep telling heart wrenching, urgent and entertaining stories for the sake of both shows."
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