Eight major TV shows axed and will not return in 2025
The last year has proven to be a huge one for TV, with Gavin and Stacey breaking ratings records on Christmas Day to the triumphant return of Gladiators. However, there are some shows that we'll unfortunately be leaving in 2024.
From iconic BBC soap Doctors to Joel Dommett's The Masked Dancer, broadcasters have brutally cut programming from next year's schedules and cancelled a number of popular shows. With eight major series being discontinued, here's everything we'll be missing in 2025.
Doctors
After 23 years on our screens, the BBC shocked soap fans everywhere with the news that Doctors would be taken off air in 2024. The series, which has launched the careers of Emilia Clarke, Jodie Comer and Claire Foy, was officially axed in October last year due to a sharp decline in ratings and rising costs.
READ MORE: Emmerdale star set to retire after brutal axe from the soap
The BBC said in a statement: "We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime drama Doctors to an end after 23 years. With super inflation in drama production, the cost of the programme has increased significantly, and further investment is also now required to refurbish the site where the show is made, or to relocate it to another home."
“With a flat licence-fee, the BBC’s funding challenges mean we have to make tough choices in order to deliver greater value to audiences. We remain fully committed to the West Midlands and all of the funding for Doctors will be reinvested into new programming in the region.
“We would like to thank all the Doctors cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 2000. We know the crucial role Doctors has played in nurturing talent, and we will work to develop new opportunities to support skills in scripted programming."
The final episode aired in November, with the cast bidding an emotional farewell to the much-loved soap.
The Masked Dancer
This spin-off of The Masked Singer made its ITV debut in 2021, with panellists Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Oti Mabuse and Peter Crouch trying to guess the celebrity behind the costume on their moves alone. However, after two series, ITV reportedly axed the show in March this year.
The series, which last aired in 2022, reportedly failed to live up to the success of The Masked Singer after clashing with Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings. A source told The Sun at the time: “The Masked Dancer was always something of a tricky sell. But ITV thought it was worth taking a punt on a concept which had clearly struck a chord with the public as The Masked Singer.
“But they made the mistake of shifting it from a show that ran every night over a week, to a weekly show that aired on a Saturday night. That saw it go out on the same evening as Strictly Come Dancing, which is a very challenging rival.”
Celebrity Cooking School
E4 culinary series Celebrity Cooking School returned to our screens after two years this January, with 10 famous faces attempting to impress chef Giorgio Locatelli with their skills in the kitchen. While Drag Race UK star Blu Hydrangea won the second series, the reality competition reportedly won't be back for another helping.
As reported by The Express in November, Channel 4 decided not to renew Celebrity Cooking School for a third series. A source said: "The crew were a bit surprised Channel 4 decided not to proceed with a third series, which would have been filmed in Spring this year." OK! has reached out to E4 for comment.
Ninja Warrior UK
Ninja Warrior UK would have marked its 10 year anniversary next year, hosted by Ben Shephard, Chris Kamara and Rochelle Humes. However, the series was reportedly cancelled by ITV back in November after the success of BBC One's Gladiators.
The obstacle course competition, which last aired in 2022, hit its peak with 4.18 million viewers in 2017 - but couldn't compete with Gladiators in the ratings. An insider revealed: "For years Ninja Warrior was one of ITV's biggest shows and scooped up all those families who missed Gladiators.
"Ben Shephard, Rochelle Humes, and Kammy made the series a big success. But when the BBC revived Gladiators last year, it sounded the death knell for ITV's ninjas. It was an absolute ratings champion, pulling in over six million viewers versus 1.6 million for Ninja Warrior's last series in 2022. A decision was therefore taken to rest Ninja Warrior for good."
Drama Queens
ITVBe explored the real-life drama that followed soap stars earlier this year with its reality show Drama Queens, with the likes of Lucy Fallon, Jamelia, Laura Norton and Rita Simons giving viewers an insight into their lives. Unfortunately, after one series, the show was officially cancelled.
A spokesperson for ITV told OK! in September: "There are no current plans for a second series of Drama Queens but the first series is available for viewers to enjoy on ITVX, and we wouldn’t rule out revisiting the show in the future."
Rise and Fall
After BBC One's The Traitors proved to be a huge success, Channel 4 enlisted the help of its creators for Rise and Fall - a competition which divided its contestants into Rulers and Grafters, with all of them competing for the £100,000 cash prize. Hosted by Greg James, the Rulers lived in a luxury penthouse where they made decisions about the group, while the Grafters dwelled in the basic basement and worked to win money for the prize pot.
But after just one series in 2023, the series was officially cancelled at the start of this year alongside a number of other Channel 4 shows. A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "Rise and Fall was a great show that we were very proud of and attracted strong audiences, but Channel 4 is all about the new and we want to make space for the next great new reality idea.
"We would like to thank Greg and the talented team who made such a hugely fun and innovative show."
Britain Get Singing
TV's biggest stars showed off their musical abilities on Britain Get Singing earlier this year, with famous faces from Good Morning Britain, Love Island and the Masked Singer taking to the mic. Despite putting together the show to highlight ITV's mental health campaign Britain Get Talking, the broadcaster has reportedly axed the charity competition.
According to a report by OK! in September, Britain Get Singing was shelved by ITV alongside Saturday Night Takeaway spin-off Ring My Bell.
Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream
The music and lyrics of ABBA took over ITV last autumn, with West End wannabes competing for the chance to play Sophie and Sky in a production of musical Mamma Mia!. Hosted by Zoe Ball, the series took 14 contestants to Greece to whittle down the group to just two lead roles.
In April, Zoe confirmed that the show had been cancelled by the BBC. Speaking to her BBC Radio 2 listeners, she said: "We’re not going back to Corfu [where the show was filmed]. This time last year we were packing our bags to go there but - and it’s a shame."
