'Doctors' 2,000th episode plans revealed

BBC soap Doctors is to celebrate its 2,000th episode with an hour-long special which will see a deadly virus unleashed at The Mill, it has been announced.

The milestone edition of the daytime show will feature Peak Practice star Simon Shepherd and Dad's Army actor Ian Lavender as guest artistes on a dramatic day for the fictional health centre.

Shepherd takes on the role of virologist George Liston, who is approached for help by Simon Bond (David Sturzaker) as The Mill's staff learn that someone inside is infected with a potentially fatal virus.

Meanwhile, Lavender plays retired brigadier Rowland Beckley, who is among the patients who get caught up in the chaos at The Mill as it goes into lockdown.

The storyline will see regular character Cherry Malone (Sophie Abelsen) exposed to the virus before developing a worrying rash. As events reach a climax and the pressure mounts, The Mill's staff face a race against time to save Cherry and track down the source of the virus.

Speaking of the dramatic instalment, Doctors' executive producer Will Trotter commented: "It's wonderful that Doctors has reached its 2,000th episode, and is celebrating by having this hour-long episode featuring all of our regular Doctors cast and some wonderful well-known guest stars joining us to mark this milestone.

"Doctors is a homegrown award-winning British drama for BBC One Daytime and we look forward to the next 2,000 episodes!"

BBC Daytime's controller Liam Keelan added: "Doctors continues to attract stellar British actors and consistently has relevant, challenging and thought-provoking storylines - I'm delighted we've been able to commission this special anniversary episode."

Doctors' 2,000th episode - titled 'Quarantine' - is currently being filmed in and around Birmingham and will air on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.