Holby City fans are praying that this will not be the end for the much-loved fictional hospital as it faces the threat of a merger.
The BBC One medical soap saw tension mount on Tuesday night as bosses received NHS documents outlining plans to combine Holby City with St Francis Hospitals.
"Today we are going to have to justify our very existence." Please direct any ideas our way – #HolbyCity HR pic.twitter.com/A0tQWBXSLU
— BBC Holby City (@BBCHolbyCity) November 7, 2017
While CEO Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) welcomed some unexpected support in the form of fellow consultant general surgeon, Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett), the future is still uncertain.
"We did our best, nothing can top that." Rally the troops, we have a fight on our hands. Let's save our hospital 💪 – #HolbyCity HR pic.twitter.com/fpJOI8lpi0
— BBC Holby City (@BBCHolbyCity) November 7, 2017
With a blurred horizon ahead, fans took to Twitter in a spontaneous campaign to save the hospital that has become a familiar TV scene for almost 20 years.
As the show’s account called for support, one viewer posted: “I’m in, what do we need to do? Will follow these two into battle anytime.”
I'm in, what do we need to do? Will follow these two into battle anytime.
— Jenny Readings (@JennyReadings) November 7, 2017
“Oh Henrik keep your chin up…you can handle this,” added another, while one joked: “Stock up on supplies, arm yourselves and repel all boarders…Give Hansen a baseball bat and a leather jacket.”
Oh Henrik 🙁keep your chin up 🙂 you can handle this just keep away from that son of yours 😒he’s bad news 😠
— Jess Drake (@jessdrake32) November 7, 2017
Stock up on supplies, arm yourselves and repel all boarders…Give Hansen a baseball bat and a leather jacket#HolbyCity
— Slashdot Dashdot (@slashdotdashdot) November 7, 2017
One worried viewer questioned: “Could this be the end of holby?”
Could this be the end of holby?
— stupot (@stuwfc83) November 7, 2017
Suggesting that all is not yet lost, the show responded to the growing army of supporters: “We’ll let you know – the fight has only just begun!”
We'll let you know – the fight has only just begun! – HR
— BBC Holby City (@BBCHolbyCity) November 7, 2017
Holby City will continue on BBC One at 8pm on Tuesday.