The BBC has found itself under siege as axed soap stars sink their claws into TV bosses and furious fans have launched a peтιтion to reverse a major cull announced earlier this month. 

River City has aired on BBC Scotland since 2002 and is based in a fictional district of Glasgow called Shieldinch. It follows locals’ everyday lives and uses a set built specifically for the show.

However, it was announced earlier this month that the beloved show will be wrapping in Autumn 2026 due to ‘a significant change in audience behaviour’ according to the broadcaster.

Since then, a peтιтion has been launched by fans who are calling to ‘Save River City’.

The appeal has attracted over 10,000 signatures on Megaphone and calls for people to ‘Sign our peтιтion to reverse the cut and Save River City,’ while the show’s cast and crew members have also protested the axe. 

Members of the Scottish Parliament visited the set to voice their support and Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Jackie Baillie posted a pH๏τo of politicians and cast members holding placards that read ‘Save River City’. 

River City has aired on BBC Scotland since 2002 and is based in a fictional district of Glasgow called Shieldinch, but it was announced earlier this month that the beloved show will be leaving screens in Autumn 2026

Since then, a peтιтion has been launched by fans who are calling to ‘Save River City’ (pictured) and has attracted more than 10,000 signatures 

Members of the Scottish Parliament visited the set to voice their support and Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Jackie Baillie posted a pH๏τo of politicians and cast members holding placards that read ‘Save River City’ 

In a post on X, Jackie said: ‘River City is an iconic show that platforms Scottish actors while supporting Scotland’s film and TV industry.

‘The BBC must change its mind and we will strain every sinew to save the show and support Scottish talent.’

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River City has won a string of awards over its long history including, most recently, the Best Drama gong at the RTS Scotland Awards in 2023 and previously the Scotland Variety Award for Best New Scottish Actor or Actress (Lorna Craig) and the Great Scot Award for Entertainment. 

However, viewing figures for the show are down 40% in the last five years. 

A BBC Scotland spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘As we outlined last week, the decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures.

‘Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. 

‘This is about value for money for the audience. We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95m over the next three years. The Dumbarton lease coming to an end next year is not the reason River City will cease in September 2026 – the overriding factor has been an audience driven one.

Scottish politician Jackie Baillie and fellow Labour MSP Neil Bibby pictured together on the set of River City

‘River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026.

‘We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities.’

When the axe was first announced, diehard fans of the show took to social media to express their sadness at River City’s departure from screens.

One wrote on X: ‘River City fans repost this @AmazonUK @PrimeVideo. Please if you can do it for Neighbours then please #SaveRiverCity’

River City’s canning is, according to the broadcaster, a reflection of ‘a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter runs’.

In response, the BBC revealed it would greatly increase the number of ‘major drama productions set across Scotland’, starting with three new series – Counsels, Grams and The Young Team. 

As well as these new тιтles, popular drama Granite Harbour will return for a third series, with filming set to start in Aberdeen and Glasgow in the coming months. 

Also making a return is Shetland for its tenth series and Vigil for a third series, while the previously announced eight-part drama, Mint, is already filming in Scotland. 

Total investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years is expected to rise to above £95million cumulatively.

River City has won a string of awards over its long history including, most recently, the Best Drama gong at the RTS Scotland Awards in 2023 and previously the Scotland Variety Award for Best New Scottish Actor or Actress (Lorna Craig) and the Great Scot Award for Entertainment 

Diehard fans of the show have taken to social media to express their sadness at River City’s departure from screens 

The BBC has also announced plans to work with industry partners on a new talent training plan in the country. 

Hayley Valentine, Director of BBC Scotland, previously said: ‘River City has been a wonderful adventure and of course we’ll all be sad to see it go. The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. 

‘But as viewing patterns change and compeтιтion intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK. 

‘Our goal is to grow Scotland further on the global drama map – with a slate of world-class productions that set the standard not just here but internationally too.’