Shocking Amount: BBC's Costly Plan to Demolish Set of Axed Hit Show to Cut Costs!

BBC chiefs have been slammed for planning to spend £500,000 to demolish the set of a popular show axed to save cash.

River City was canned last year.

bosses claimed declining viewing figures meant the was no longer viable.

Stars and politicians have hit out at the studio’s sale to developers for £2.1million — with the BBC paying some £489,000 for demolition at the site.

BBC Scotland, which was paying £150,000 a year to use Dumbarton Studios, said in a tender contract: “Dumbarton is the filming location for the serial drama River City which has been cancelled as part of the savings challenge.

“Consequently, the set needs to be derigged and removed from the site to be handed over to the landlord.”

Scott Vickers, who played cop Will Cooper in the soap, said: “It’s infuriating to see the BBC handing payers’ money to already wealthy house builders.”

And Scottish Labour deputy Jackie Baillie reckoned: “This is an absolute slap in the face. It’s a shocking waste of public money that adds insult to injury for the cast, crew and loyal viewers who fought so hard to save the show.”

The last series of -set River City, which started in 2002, airs in the autumn.

Filming finished in April, with cast on set including Stephen Purdon, who played “Shellsuit” Bob O’Hara.

Last year BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine told the Scottish Parliament that the show “didn’t pass that test for us any longer” in terms of value for money.

A BBC spokesman said: “As with any decommission, there are costs involved to bring a series to a close. BBC Scotland recently auctioned items from the set and studios, the monies of which raised will offset these costs.”

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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