Editing Doctors (2000 TV series) (section)

===2000–2016: ''Decade of Doctors'' and 3000 episodes===
The first episode of ''Doctors'' was transmitted on 26 March 2000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Timblick |first=Simon |title=Doctors spoilers: Happy 20TH ANNIVERSARY, Doctors! |url=https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-20th-anniversary-doctors/ |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=[[What's on TV]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=17 March 2020 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123734/https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-20th-anniversary-doctors/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, episodes received an average of 2.5 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/02_february/04/doctorsreturn.shtml|title=BBC Press Office – TV Drama – Doctors returns|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=8 October 2019|archive-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910164655/https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/02_february/04/doctorsreturn.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Young departed from the position of executive producer on 6 April 2005, with Will Trotter assuming the position from the next day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a287075/doctors-2000th-episode-plans-revealed/|title='Doctors' 2,000th episode plans revealed|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117200814/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a287075/doctors-2000th-episode-plans-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2006, ''Doctors'' aired the first same-sex wedding on British television when characters [[Greg Robinson (Doctors)|Greg Robinson]] ([[Ben Jones (British actor)|Ben Jones]]) and [[Rico Da Silva]] ([[Felix D'Alviella]]) got married.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1002994286256934913 |title=Brookside may have had the first gay kiss, but @bbcdoctors had the first gay wedding on British TV. #ThingsYouMayNotKnowAboutBBCDoctors #SoapAwards|date=2 June 2018|user=BBCDoctors}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a31279/doctors-to-show-first-gay-wedding/|title='Doctors' to show first gay wedding|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=4 January 2020|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103100548/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a31279/doctors-to-show-first-gay-wedding/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, the episode which reached the highest ratings in ''Doctors'' history was "Restraint" which was aired on 31 March. The episode saw [[Ruth Pearce (Doctors)|Ruth Pearce]] ([[Selina Chilton]]) admitted to a psychiatric hospital after developing an obsession over colleague and friend [[Michelle Corrigan]] (Donnaleigh Bailey). Another episode in 2009 that reached 3.4 million viewers was "Cold Comfort", which was the last episode aired in 2009; it involved the Christmas party, which saw [[Lily Hassan]]'s ([[Seeta Indrani]]) marriage proposal to [[Heston Carter]] ([[Owen Brenman]]) turned down.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/doctors-star-sophie-abelson-enjoying-3442427|title=Doctors star Sophie Abelson enjoying BBC drama role|last=Lee|first=Susan|date=20 October 2009 |website=[[Liverpool Echo]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008183458/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/doctors-star-sophie-abelson-enjoying-3442427|archive-date=8 October 2019|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> On 26 March 2010, ''Doctors'' celebrated its 10th anniversary and 1800th episode. Under the title ''Decade of Doctors'', the BBC aired five-minute episodes about the series after each day's episode during the anniversary week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/entries/2cd8cb32-c9b2-37b7-8500-f59701f15297|title=A decade of Doctors|date=24 March 2010|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216214654/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/entries/2cd8cb32-c9b2-37b7-8500-f59701f15297|archive-date=16 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In each episode, cast and crew members talked about topics including the conception of the series, their favourite storylines and facts about ''Doctors''. That year, the highest watched episode received 2.9 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/bbc-axe-survivors-and-doctors-is-next-214581|title=BBC axe Survivors and Doctors is next|date=13 April 2010|website=[[Daily Mirror]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008183500/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/bbc-axe-survivors-and-doctors-is-next-214581|archive-date=8 October 2019|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> The average for the year was 2 million viewers.<ref name="Primetime" />

On 16 February 2011, ''Doctors'' aired its 2000th episode titled "Quarantine", which was extended and ran for 60 minutes. From 17 September 2012, for five days, special [[Red Button (digital television)|red button]] episodes aired after the regular episodes, focusing on the conclusion of the [[Harrison Kellor]] ([[James Larkin (actor)|James Larkin]]) storyline, exploring [[Elaine Cassidy (Doctors)|Elaine Cassidy]] ([[Janet Dibley]]) and how she dealt with Harrison's change of plea for [[Lauren Porter]]'s ([[Alexis Peterman]]) murder. In 2012, ''Doctors'' aired a "[[Shakespeare]] week", with episodes themed around "a number of his most popular plays".<ref name="Shakespeare">{{cite news |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |title=Doctors will air another special Shakespeare week in 2016 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a775255/doctors-to-air-another-special-shakespeare-week-in-2016/ |access-date=14 March 2021 |publisher=Digital Spy |date=25 November 2015 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123732/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a775255/doctors-to-air-another-special-shakespeare-week-in-2016/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 June 2015, Trotter departed from the position of executive producer, with [[Mike Hobson]] assuming the position from the next day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/2a034ec4-91cb-4082-abd0-513b3a531750|title=The Doctors will see you now|work=BBC Blog|date=3 November 2015|access-date=4 March 2020|archive-date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519005342/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/2a034ec4-91cb-4082-abd0-513b3a531750|url-status=live}}</ref> Episodes in that year averaged at 1.7 million viewers,<ref>{{cite web |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |title=Doctors guest role for Hollyoaks actor Neil Newbon|date=28 January 2014 |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s16/doctors/news/a547110/doctors-guest-role-for-hollyoaks-actor-neil-newbon.html|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=28 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130063302/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s16/doctors/news/a547110/doctors-guest-role-for-hollyoaks-actor-neil-newbon.html|archive-date=30 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> with the highest rating of the year being 1.94 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|title=Coronation Street: Tina's big decision brings in 8m on Wednesday|date=13 February 2014|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a550918/coronation-street-tinas-big-decision-brings-in-8m-on-wednesday.html|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=16 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214095347/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a550918/coronation-street-tinas-big-decision-brings-in-8m-on-wednesday.html|archive-date=14 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2015, ''Doctors'' sparked criticism after the word "pussy" was used in an episode. Due to the programme being transmitted in the daytime, the claims of "offensive language" led to an investigation by [[Ofcom]], a broadcasting regulator.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |title=Doctors to be investigated by Ofcom over 'offensive language' |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a642901/doctors-to-be-investigated-by-ofcom-over-offensive-language/ |access-date=14 March 2021 |publisher=Digital Spy |date=20 April 2015 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123735/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a642901/doctors-to-be-investigated-by-ofcom-over-offensive-language/ |url-status=live}}</ref> They were later cleared of any breaches of the code, with an Ofcom spokesperson stating: "Following investigation, we found this BBC One soap didn't break our rules for offensive language before the watershed. The language used in the show was justified by the context it was presented in and aired at a time when children were unlikely to be watching."<ref>{{cite news |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |title=Doctors cleared by Ofcom over 'offensive language' claims |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a650378/doctors-cleared-by-ofcom-over-offensive-language-claims/ |access-date=14 March 2021 |publisher=Digital Spy |date=1 June 2015 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123741/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a650378/doctors-cleared-by-ofcom-over-offensive-language-claims/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 September 2015, ''Doctors'' aired its 3000th episode, "The Heart of England", which was extended and ran for 60 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/c7d03aeb-67ca-4c6b-b7d8-ffc2adabe193|title=BBC Blogs – BBC Writersroom – Writing for Doctors – 'The Heart of England'|author=Way|first=Katharine|date=9 September 2015|publisher=BBC|url-status=live|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914043008/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/c7d03aeb-67ca-4c6b-b7d8-ffc2adabe193|archive-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> The average viewing figure for 2015 was 2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walsallcollege.ac.uk/news/details/student-gets-acting-break-in-bbc-drama|title=A former Walsall College Performing Arts student landed a part in BBC serial drama 'Doctors', just a month after achieving his qualification in August|date=n.d.|publisher=[[Walsall College]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008183504/https://www.walsallcollege.ac.uk/news/details/student-gets-acting-break-in-bbc-drama|archive-date=8 October 2019|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> Later that year, to commemorate the 400th year of Shakespeare's death, the soap revisited his work, with a week of episodes focusing specifically on his sonnets.<ref name="Shakespeare" /> The cast filmed scenes at the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] for the episodes, one of which includes Heston reciting [[Sonnet 73]] to girlfriend [[Ruhma Hanif]] ([[Bharti Patel]]).<ref>{{cite news |last=Dainty |first=Sophie |title=Doctors cast bring Shakespeare to life as they film special scenes at the Royal Shakespeare Company |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a782259/doctors-cast-bring-shakespeare-to-life-as-they-film-special-scenes-at-the-royal-shakespeare-company/ |access-date=14 March 2021 |publisher=Digital Spy |date=3 February 2016 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123712/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a782259/doctors-cast-bring-shakespeare-to-life-as-they-film-special-scenes-at-the-royal-shakespeare-company/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Series producer Lloyd also stated that due to the rise of homelessness in the Birmingham area that year, the soap would be featuring a week that focuses on homelessness.<ref name="Shakespeare" /> The "emotional and powerful" homelessness week aired in May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC Doctors put homeless centre stage |url=https://www.whatsonlive.co.uk/news/bbc-doctors-put-homeless-centre-stage-in-a-week-of-dedicated-episodes/33793 |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=What's On |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123720/https://www.whatsonlive.co.uk/news/bbc-doctors-put-homeless-centre-stage-in-a-week-of-dedicated-episodes/33793 |url-status=live}}</ref> Script editor Nasreen Ahmed stated that lots of research went into the week, with researchers constantly finding new statistics and information. She added that it was tricky to cover the "darker stuff" with their daytime transmission slot, but opined that ''Doctors'' is the perfect platform for a homelessness storyline, due to the links to the medical surgery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nasreen Ahmed Interview |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3GVjByTtChw9f64dFTv612l/nasreen-ahmed-interview |access-date=14 March 2021 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123736/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3GVjByTtChw9f64dFTv612l/nasreen-ahmed-interview |url-status=live}}</ref>