BBC Holby City star slams axed series over lack of juicy storylines

14 November 2023 , 10:58

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BBC Holby City star slams axed series over lack of juicy storylines

Former Holby City star Jimmy Akingbola has hit out for the first time against BBC bosses of the axed series for not allowing his character to flourish on the show.

The actor, 45, who is now known for hosting the panel show Sorry, I Didn't Know alongside his former Holby co-star Chizzy Akudolu said that all the actors on set felt like a family but that wasn't enough for him. In a recent interview the actor, who played Dr Antoine Malick, said: "We would always tease each other about our medical knowledge. Chizzy would always beat me. I might know my lines but she would know exactly what she’s doing."

Jimmy Akingbola says that he didn't get enough juicy storylines

Speaking to OK! magazine he added: "But it was a family and for us to be doing that together, it was a dream come true. The only sad thing is that we didn’t get any meaty storylines – which is why we wanted to do something together." The BBC announced that the show was being cancelled in March last year after an impressive 23 year run. The decision was made as part of the broadcaster's plans to make more programmes to serve across the country.

And in a statement a spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of Holby City but it’s with great sadness that we are announcing that after 23 years, the show will end on screen in March of next year. " It added: "We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC’s commitment to make more programmes across the UK, we have taken the difficult decision to bring the show to a close in order to reshape the BBC’s drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing team at BBC Studios and all the cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 1999."

Since leaving the drama series, Jimmy has found success with his panel show, which became so popular during Black History Month, ITV bosses decided to give it its own slot. Welcoming comedians and celebrities on the show, the format is set out to test their knowledge of black history and guests on their latest series include Oti Mabuse, who was keeping a pregnancy a secret during the time of filming. But Chizzy claimed that she knew something was different about Oti's appearance – and it was her bottom. And on Chizzy's team was another Strictly favourite Eddie Kadi, who has been on the show for two series.

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And, according to Jimmy, one defining trait that makes Eddie stand out is that "anybody can relate to his comedy." From Henry VIII’s royal trumpeter John Blanke to Marie van Brittan Brown, the African American woman who invented the first home security system, Jimmy and Chizzy aim to educate viewers and their guests alike as some of the items that people use today, have been invented by a black person.

Jimmy played Dr Antoine Malick (BBC)

Speaking about the show Chizzy added: "Our show is about shining a light on people that we don’t really hear about but we use their products every day." But it looks as though returning to drama is still firmly etched in both their minds. She continued: "We did start thinking about a project and then it fell by the wayside. That would have been very interesting – we were playing husband and wife."

And Jimmy jumped in to say: "There’s a Fleabag thing that we need to do. Hopefully ITV sees this interview and gets us in together!" Last year, the ITV sitcom Kate and Koji which starred Jimmy was cancelled after having a seemingly successful run since 2020. Jimmy left the show after landing a leading role in the reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In the second series, Koji was played by actor Okorie Chukwu.

Lucretia Munro