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Fears over the future of Heartbeat
THERE are concerns about the future of the long-running show after reports that it had been axed by ITV.
Heartbeat, which is filmed in and around Whitby and Goathland, and its sister show The Royal, are still in production. Reports in the national press claim a decision has been made to axe the shows.
ITV has confirmed filming would stop later this year for an indefinite period, but say they have a stockpile of new episodes for a new series next year.
A spokesman refused to say when filming would start again. However, the man whose books inspired Heartbeat, Nicholas Rhea, said he was not aware of any moves to axe it.
Heartbeat, set in the 1960s, has been an ITV Sunday night staple since 1992. The series used to draw in 10 million viewers but now attracts less than six million, while hospital drama The Royal gets four million.
Brian Taylor, who has had Goathland Post Office and Gift Shop for eight years, said: "It's the talk of the village really, the effect would not be felt overnight, it would be a gradual decline in everyone's business and have a knock-on effect, not just in Goathland but in surrounding areas.