BBC River City's most iconic episodes over the years as show is axed

The BBC announced that the Glasgow-based soap will be axed in 2026 due to 'dwindling viewing figures' leaving fans across the country gutted.

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The BBC announced that the Glasgow-based soap will be axed in 2026 due to 'dwindling viewing figures' leaving fans across the country gutted. Lorraine Kelly appeared in a one-off special episode (Image: BBC)

River City fans have been left completely devastated following the news this week that the Glasgow-based soap will be no more.

After launching its first episode back in 2002, it has been confirmed on Tuesday that the show will be scrapped after more than two decades (23 years) on the small screen.

BBC confirmed the soap, which amassed huge audiences across Scotland, will be fazed out from 2026 as audience viewing habits changed and also to make way for the "next generation of drama production in Scotland," before teasing three new titles.

The Glasgow-based show is well-loved by Scottish audiences and won Best Drama at the RTS Scotland 2023 awards. Although there's new projects on the horizon, fans of River City have been left outraged following the news of its demise.

But fans can now take a walk down Shieldinch’s memory lane, including shocking murders, dramatic weddings and tragic accidents that the soap made its name for.

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Bob O’Hara’s eating disorder

This 2014 storyline centred on the story of ‘Big Bob’s’ (Tom Urie) battle with an eating disorder, highlighting the impact on his health and his family, scooping Edinburgh-writer Louise Ironside a prestigious Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award. The episode saw Bob’s mother Molly (Una McLean) face a heart-breaking decision about her son’s future which threatened to tear the family apart with Bob finally embracing rehab to battle his eating addiction.

1 of 5 10th anniversary episode

As part of River City’s 10th anniversary celebrations, this dramatic episode saw landlord Raymond (Paul Samson) blow up the Tall Ship pub in order to cover up his murder of criminal Sean (James Cunningham). Elsewhere, after being mowed down by Sean, Deek (Gordon McCorkell) fights for his life in hospital with best friend Bob (Stephen Purdon) by his side. As his nearest and dearest keep vigil over him, Deek dies.

(Image: BBC)2 of 5 Murdoch's fatal fall

Family tensions take a bloody turn for the worse when father and son, Lenny (Frank Gallagher) and Ewan Murdoch (Chris Brazier), clash – with devastating consequences. Emotions run high as Murdoch men argue leading to Ewan’s dramatic, and unexpected, death. As Lenny attempts to make peace with Ewan, his son accidentally trips and falls from scaffolding in front of his father and step-mum, Lydia (Jacqueline Leonard).

3 of 5 Liz kills her son

Two of River City’s most iconic episodes, aired as part of the show’s fifth birthday celebrations in 2007, saw murder most foul and an unforgettable cover-up. Disgraced lawyer, Archie Buchanan (Gilly Gilchrist) made a dramatic exit after embezzelling money from his clients, cheating on his wife Gina (Libby MacArthur) and drugging his mother Liz (Eileen McCallum). In these two episodes, Liz accidentally kills her son with sisters Gina and Eileen (Deirdre Davis) stepping in to protect her by disposing of Archie’s body over a cliff edge.

(Image: BBC)4 of 5 Any objections?

Love and marriage is always dramatic in Shieldinch. First up, in the 2002 debut episode, it’s Tommy (Eric Barlow) and Eileen Donachie’s (Deirdre Davis) wedding day but a happily-ever-after isn’t the order of the day for The Tall Ship’s landlord and his fiancé when Eileen’s jealous ex-husband, Raymond (Paul Samson), turns up. Also featured this week is one of TV’s most memorable moments – Bob’s (Stephen Purdon) 2003 cherry-picker wedding proposal to girlfriend Zara (Shabana Akhtar Bakhsh).

(Image: BBC)5 of 5

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