Fans are heartbroken after Channel 4 announced its axing popular programme Ackley Bridge.
The show, which stars EastEnders ' Joy Joyner, followed the lives of pupils and teachers at a school in Yorkshire.
Viewers loved the comedy-drama, but were annoyed when the 5th series was cut from 60 to 30 mins and moved to a later time slot of 10pm.
Now the broadcaster has decided to pull the plug on the show completely.
In a statement. Channel 4 said: "We’re immensely proud of Ackley Bridge, which over the last five series has received praise for the way in which it has tackled real-life situations and issues in an irreverent and insightful way.
"However, Channel 4 has a responsibility to continuously look for new and innovative ideas and we have made the difficult decision to not greenlight another series.
"We’d like to thank The Forge, the wonderful cast and all those involved in the show’s success over the years and we look forward to working with them again on future projects.".
Following the news, viewers took to social media - saddened by the broadcaster's decision.
One tweeted: "Shame about #AckleyBridge but guessing Channel 4s decision was only helped by the fact #WaterlooRoad is coming back."
While another said: "Ackley Bridge has been a massive part of my life since it first aired five years ago. I've loved every single episode of every series, and the show will be sorely missed. Can't wait to rewatch the whole thing very soon. Farewell Ackley."
The fifth series of the show aired in the summer and stared Jo Joyner, Robert James-Collier, Sunetra Sarker and Charlie Hardwick.
After it was announced the programme was being scrapped, Jo paid tribute to her co-stars.
"Over and out," she tweeted. "Very proud to have been a part of the fantastic #AckleyBridge.
"Some incredible years, fantastic memories and wonderful friends. All good things must come to an end."
Several viewers thought the end was nigh for the show when Channel 4 tinkered with its schedule in the summer.
It aired aired two half-hour episodes of the programme back-to-back and changed the start time from 8pm to 10pm.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "Moving Ackley Bridge to a 10pm timeslot is Channel 4’s way of killing off the series. Having it at 8pm for the first three series worked but reducing the episodes from an hour to half hour is totally wrong, it feels very rushed."
While another predicted: #AckleyBridge I don't think they have much faith in this show if they're showing two shows a day at 10pm for the rest of the week."
