BBC Doctors axed after 23 years of failing ratings – but which surprise celebrities have starred in the soap?

Doctors has been axed by the BBC after 23 years amid falling ratings and rising costs, with the final episode set to air next year.

Countless characters have made a visit to the Riverside Health Centre over the years, with many famous faces making surprise appearances.

The cast and crew of the iconic soap were reportedly called into a meeting with channel bosses on Wednesday where they learned the tragic news, after a bid to move the show to a primetime slot failed to draw in audiences.

From A-list Oscar-winner’s to child stars, Game Of Thrones stars and TV presenters, Doctor’s has seen it all.

And as the daytime soap prepares to bid its fans farewell, here MailOnline takes a look at some of the celebrities who have starred on the show.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Phoebe Waller-Bridge starred in a 2009 episode of Doctors called Chef’s Secret as Katie Burbridge before her global star status.

The star, 38, has since gone on to write and star in her own hit series Fleabag, which is based on her one-woman routine first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Phoebe has also created the hit assassin drama Killing Eve with Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh taking on the leading roles of Villanelle and Eve Polastri, respectively.

Phoebe also worked on the most recent James Bond film, No Time To Die.

First role: Phoebe Waller-Bridge starred in a 2009 episode of Doctors called Chef’s Secret as Katie Burbridge before her global star status

Film star: She worked on a Tomb Raider TV series for Amazon Prime. Phoebe also appeared in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, as Helena Shaw

The star was called in to offer her expertise in the spy franchise, which was Daniel Craig’s last time as 007.

In 2020, Phoebe, scooped six trophies at the Emmy Awards as she dominated award ceremonies across the globe with her incredible writing skills.

The award-winning star signed a reported £15 million-a-year deal with Amazon Studios and revealed she’ll work on new projects with the Fleabag team.

She worked on a Tomb Raider TV series for Amazon Prime. Phoebe also appeared  in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, as Helena Shaw.

Claire Foy

Claire Foy appeared in a 2008 episode of Doctors called The Party’s Over as Chloe Webster eight years before her career took off as Queen Elizabeth II.

The actress, 39, went on to take the leading role in series one and two of Netflix’s The Crown in 2016 alongside Matt Smith, which chronicles the life of the royal family from 1940s to the present day.

So young! Claire Foy appeared in a 2008 episode of Doctors called The Party’s Over as Chloe Webster eight years before her career took off as Queen Elizabeth II 

Winner: Claire became a global name thanks to her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in seasons one and two, earning her the Best Actress award at both the Golden Globes and Emmys (pictured in 2017 show still) 

Claire became a global name thanks to her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in seasons one and two, earning her the Best Actress award at both the Golden Globes and Emmys.

The role was later taken over by Oscar-winner Olivia Colman for the third and fourth season as it shows the royal family at a later stage of their lives in 1964.

The part is now played by Imelda Staunton for the fifth and sixth series.

Jodie Comer

Jodie Comer starred in a 2012 episode of Doctors called Another Day, Another Dollar as Kelly Lowther before her global Villanelle status.

The Liverpudlian actress, 31, has since soared to A-list stardom thanks to her leading assassin role in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Killing Eve.

Talented: Jodie Comer starred in a 2012 episode of Doctors called Another Day, Another Dollar as Kelly Lowther before her global Villanelle status

Incredible: Jodie dominated the award ceremonies earlier this, winning Best Actress at both the Emmys and BAFTAs for her role in Killing Eve (pictured with co-star Sandra Oh in show still) 

Jodie dominated the award ceremonies in 2020, winning Best Actress at both the Emmys and BAFTAs.

She went on to appear in Hollywood movies The Last Duel and Free Guy, alongside Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Driver and Ryan Reynolds.

Jodie has appeared in several television shows over the years, including Holby City, Waterloo Road, Silent Witness, Casualty, My Mad Fat Diary, Doctor Foster and Thirteen.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne may have won an Oscar for his incredible performance in the The Theory of Everything, but he once starred in Doctors. 

The actor played Rob Huntley in one episode, back in 2003, back when he was 21-years-old.

Just over 10 years later the Burberry model, 42, went on to win an Academy Award for his portrayal of late Professor in the 2015 biopic.

Starting out: Eddie Redmayne may have won an Oscar for his incredible performance in the The Theory of Everything, but he once starred in Doctors

Magical: Eddie had the leading role of Newt Scamander in J. K. Rowling’s franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, starring alongside Johnny Depp and Jude Law (pictured)

Eddie had the leading role of Newt Scamander in J. K. Rowling’s franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, starring alongside Johnny Depp and Jude Law.

The actor has also starred in critically-acclaimed films The Danish Girl, Les Misérables, The Aeronauts and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Denise Welch

Denise Welch might be best known for her portrayal of Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road and a three year stint on Coronation Street, but she has also paid a visit to Riverside Health Centre. 

The Loose Women panellist first appeared on the show as Jane Howard in 2004, later returning almost a decade later. 

Making a comeback in 2015, Denise appeared as Judith Whitney, a ‘guest from hell’ who invited herself over to stay at Karen and Rob Hollins house. 

The Loose Women star, 65, is known for her role as Natalie on the Coronation Street cobbles from 1997 until 2000. 

Denise, whose son is The 1975 frontman Matthew Healy, later starred as Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road from 2006 until 2010.

Regular appearance: Denise Welch appeared on Doctors three separate times, once in 2004 as Jane Howard, then in 2015 as Judith Whitney and for a final time in 2016 as Denise Brown (pictured in Doctors, left, and this month, right) 

TV star: The Loose Women star, 65, is known for her role as Natalie on the Coronation Street cobbles from 1997 until 2000

Emilia Clarke  

Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke is famed for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the hit HBO series Game Of Thrones.

But, the actress’ first ever TV job was on BBC’s Doctors, where a flatulent crew member almost ruined her performance.

Recalling the incident at Edinburgh TV Festival, she told Huff Post: ‘There was a really small space and they were like, ‘OK, we have literally got time for one take, I’m really sorry Emilia, I know this is your debut on TV but we’ve got one take so don’t mess it up’.

First role: Emilia Clarke’s first ever acting role was in a 2009 episode of Doctors called Empty Nest as Saskia Mayer before her global ‘Mother of Dragons’ status

Big time! The actress has since become a leading Hollywood star thanks to her eight-year role as Daenery, in HBO’s Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin’s novels

‘I walk into this really small office and I’m meant to look shocked and alarmed and really upset about what I’m looking at. Just horrified.

She then revealed that a member of the crew then ‘let one rip’, adding: ‘I was like, ‘We have got one take, just smell the smell.”

The actress has since become a leading Hollywood star thanks to her eight-year role as Daenery, in HBO’s Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin’s novels.

Emilia has also starred in a number of movies, including Last Christmas, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Me Before You.

Brian Blessed

On screen: Brian Blessed is best known for his role in Blackadder and is a noted Shakespearean actor (pictured right)

Brian Blessed is best known for his role in Blackadder and is a noted Shakespearean actor.

In 2011, he made an appearance on Doctors as Micky ‘Rebel’ Becket, in the episode, The Devil’s Daughter.

Richard Armitage

Richard Armitage starred in Doctors in 2001 as Dr. Tom Steele in two different episode, Good Companions and Cat’s Out of the Bag.

Starting out: Richard Armitage starred in Doctors in 2001 as Dr. Tom Steele in two different episode, Good Companions and Cat’s Out of the Bag (pictured on show, left, and in January, right)

Fame: The Ocean’s 8 star has since found stardom in the The Hobbit franchise as Thorin Oakenshield, he featured in 2012, 2013 and 2014 films An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies (pictured alongside Martin Freeman) 

The Ocean’s 8 star has since found stardom in the The Hobbit franchise as Thorin Oakenshield, he featured in 2012, 2013 and 2014 films An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies.

Richard has also had roles on the likes of Spooks as Lucas North, Netflix’s The Stranger as Adam Price, Robin Hood as Guy of Gisborne, Cold Feet as Lee Preston and Hannibal as Francis Dolarhyde.

Sheridan Smith 

Sheridan Smith appeared twice in Doctors, once in a 2000 episode called Late Action Hero as Claire and four years later in a 2004 episode called Gap Year as Jackie Leavis.

Sheridan, 42, has had a successful career since, bagging a regular role on Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps as Claire and starring as James Corden’s on-screen sister Rudi on Gavin & Stacey.

Star: Sheridan Smith appeared twice in Doctors, once in a 2000 episode called Late Action Hero as Claire and four years later in a 2004 episode called Gap Year as Jackie Leavis (pictured this month) 

Iconic: Sheridan, 42, has had a successful career since, bagging a regular role on Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps as Claire and starring as James Corden’s on-screen sister Rudi on Gavin & Stacey (pictured) 

Sheridan has also won a NTA and BAFTA for her roles in Mrs Biggs and Cilla. The star has taken on hard-hitting roles in The C Word and The Moorside, based on based on the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews in 2008.

As well as a successful television career, Sheridan has won several gongs for her musical performances including two Laurence Olivier Awards for her roles in Legally Blonde and Flare Path.

Nicholas Hoult 

Nicholas Hoult starred in a 2001 episode of Doctors called Unfinished Business as Conor Finch before his leading role in About A Boy alongside Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz in 2002.

Stardom: Nicholas Hoult starred in a 2001 episode of Doctors called Unfinished Business as Conor Finch (pictured in 2002, left, and 2019, right) 

Leading man: Nicholas, the ex of Jennifer Lawrence, has since starred in Hollywood films Mission: Impossible, The Favourite, Tolkien, the X-Men series (pictured in film still, left), Mad Max: Fury Road and Deadpool 2 

The actor went on to bag a leading role on 2007 teenage drama series Skins as Tony Stonem, with his co-stars Luke Pasqualino and Dev Patel going on to find further fame.

Nicholas, the ex of Jennifer Lawrence, has since starred in Hollywood films Mission: Impossible, The Favourite, Tolkien, the X-Men series, Mad Max: Fury Road and Deadpool 2.

Kym Marsh

Kym Marsh appeared in a 2005 episode of Doctors called Bad Chemistry as Ruth Parry four years after finding fame in 2001 band Hear’Say.

The actress, 47, went on to bag a regular role as lovable barmaid Michelle Connor on Coronation Street from 2006 until 2019.

Her road to acting:Kym Marsh appeared in a 2005 episode of Doctors called Bad Chemistry as Ruth Parry four years after finding fame in 2001 band Hear’Say

Iconic: The actress, 47, went on to bag a regular role as lovable barmaid Michelle Connor on Coronation Street from 2006 until 2019 (pictured in soap still in October)

Kym left her role of almost 14 years in 20219, announcing her exit in February – she admitted her daughter Emily Mae Cunliffe’s new baby and her grandchild was one of the reasons for her exit.

She said: ‘Another big factor in my decision to take a break from Corrie is the impending arrival of my grandson. I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with him and Emilie after he’s born this summer.’

Helen George

Helen George appeared in a 2011 episode of Doctors called A Life in the Day as Andrea Towers.

The cameo came just one year before the star, 39, bagged a leading role as Trixie Franklin in the popular drama Call the Midwife.

Starting out: Helen George appeared in a 2011 episode of Doctors called A Life in the Day as Andrea Towers

Incredible: In 2015, Helen took part in Strictly Come Dancing where she finished in sixth place with Aljaž Škorjanec (pictured as her Call the Midwife character Trixie Franklin) 

In 2015, Helen took part in Strictly Come Dancing where she finished in sixth place with Aljaž Škorjanec.

While in 2018 she made her first film debut in Nativity Rocks!, starring alongside Ruth Jones and Craig Revel Horwood. 

Phill Jupitus

Phill Jupitus is famed for his career as a comedian, regularly appearing on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI. 

However alongside his comic and radio work, Phill, 61, has also done a spot of acting in his career.

Comedian: Phill Jupitus is famed for his career as a comedian, regularly appearing on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI

He appeared in Doctors back in 2007, playing Wally Albright in a two-episode arc called No Way Out.

Phill appears to have a fondness for medical dramas as he has also starred in an episode of Holby City in 2001.

Lisa Riley 

Lisa Riley is most known for her role of Mandy Dingle on ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 1995 to 2001, and 2019 onwards.

In her break from the soap, the actress, 47, starred on Doctors for two episodes, as two different characters. 

Twice: Lisa Riley starred in Doctors twice, once in 2003 as Sandra Reynolds and again in 2012 as Laura Mowbray (pictured in January 2019) 

Household name:Lisa Riley is most known for her role of Mandy Dingle on ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 1995 to 2001, and 2019 onwards (pictured in 1999)

She first appeared as Laura Mowbray in 2003 before making her return almost a decade later as Sandra Reynolds in 2012.

Lisa then starred on Strictly Come Dancing for the tenth series and made it all the way to the semi-finals with partner Robin Windsor.

She went on to appear as a panellist on Loose Women before returning to Emmerdale. 

Claire King

Claire King starred in a 2002 episode of Doctors called Into the Shadows as Jenny Hennessey.

TV legend: Claire King starred in a 2002 episode of Doctors called Into the Shadows as Jenny Hennessey (pictured in March) 

The actress, 58, went on to bag the iconic role of villain Kim Tate on Emmerdale from 1989 to 1999, she made an explosive return in 2018.

Claire also starred on Coronation Street as Erica Holroyd from 2014 to 2017 and the legendary prison series Bad Girls as Karen Betts from 2000 to 2004. 

As well as Doctors, Claire also took on guest roles in fellow medical dramas, Holby City and The Royal.

Outside of her acting projects, she has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2006 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.

Davood Ghadami 

Davood Ghadami made a name for himself on rival soap opera EastEnders as Kush Kazemi until his character’s murder in 2021.

However, before joining Albert Square he was had a recurring role on Doctors as Aran Chander from 2012 to 2013. 

Starting out: Davood Ghadami starred in Doctors twice, once in 2009 as Tariq Kalbasi and he then secured a more regular role as Aran Chandar from 2012 to 2013 (pictured in 2013 on the medical soap) 

Eliminated: In 2017, he took part in Strictly Come Dancing where he was eliminated on week 11 with Nadiya Bychkova (pictured) 

Aran was Jas Khella’s (Vineeta Rishi) ex-boyfriend who he cheats on his girlfriend with, with the pair getting back together and moving to Canada together.

Davood also appeared on Casualty, first in 2005 and then again this year, as well as starring on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.

Tom Ellis

Tom Ellis appeared in a 2005 episode of Doctors called Slim Chance as Ricky Adams.

Role: Tom Ellis appeared in a 2005 episode of Doctors called Slim Chance as Ricky Adams, he has since moved to Los Angeles were he has found Hollywood fame as the main role in Netflix ‘s Lucifer (pictured) 

Fun: The actor and ex-husband of Tamzin Outhwaite, 41, starred in Miranda as Gary Preston alongside creator and leading actress Miranda Hart (pictured) 

The actor and ex-husband of Tamzin Outhwaite, 45, has since starred in Miranda as Gary Preston alongside creator and leading actress Miranda Hart.

Tom has since moved to Los Angeles were he has found Hollywood fame as the main role in Netflix’s Lucifer, an American comedy series which revolves around the devil, it started in 2016.

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