End of an ERA

ALEX WALKINSHAW and ROSIE MARCEL on the final episode of their medical drama

- ELAINE REILLY, VICTORIA WILSON

HOLBY CITY LAST ONE TUESDAY, 7.50 PM, BBC1 DRAMA

After over 23 years of life-or-death medical decisions, groundbreaking storylines, and formidable but loveable characters, the ward doors will sadly close forever on BBCi's hospital drama Holby City this week.

In what promises to be an emotional and high-octane finale, the action picks up following the risky operation on top surgeon Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) to remove a brain tumour.

While the fate of fan-favorite Jac is, of course, a closely guarded secret, the special episode will feature some familiar faces from years gone by, including Chizzy Akudolu (who played Mo Effanga), Hugh Quarshie (Ric Griffin), Catherine Russell (Serena Campbell), Jemma Redgrave (Bernie Wolfe) and Luke Roberts (who played Jac's first true love, Joseph Byrne).

Here, Rosie, 44, and co-star Alex Walkinshaw, 47, AKA popular nurse Adrian Fletch' Fletcher, tell TV Times why the cast are determined to say goodbye in style...

How do you feel about the final episode of Holby City?

ROSIE They've really pulled it out of the bag! It's beautifully written and directed. Every single one of us is proud of what we achieved.

ALEX Everyone wanted to make it as good as they possibly could - that's always been the ethic at Holby City. But there was an air of sadness filming the final scenes.