Fletch and Jac on BBC series Holby City
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Holby City fans in fresh rant at BBC over ‘replacement’ show Freeze the Fear

Are they right to lash out?

Holby City fans criticised the BBC on Twitter last night (Tuesday April 12) over Freeze the Fear “replacing” the soap.

Devoted Holby buffs linked the series being axed to the new challenge series airing in a similar slot.

Furthermore, disgruntled social media users slammed Freeze the Fear as “crap”, “pointless” and “nonsense” as they watched along.

Freeze the Fear has 'replaced' Holby City on the BBC and is hosted by Lee Mack and Holly Willoughby
Freeze the Fear hosts Lee Mack and Holly Willoughby (Credit: BBC)

Holby City ended for good two weeks ago after the drama aired for 23 years on the BBC.

Fans had previously fumed at Masterchef being announced for the same place in the schedule.

Holby City complaints aimed at BBC

Several Holby fans expressed astonishment at the medical series ending ‘for’ the Wim Hof series.

When the Holby cancellation announcement was made in June 2021, it was implied the BBC remained ‘committed’ to producing diverse programming.

Read more: OPINION: Why Casualty should’ve been axed over Holby City

A tweeted statement read: “This tough decision reflects the BBC’s commitment to make more programmes across the UK and to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country.”

Accordingly, seething Holby enthusiasts used this reasoning to attack Freeze the Fear.

Holby City aired for 23 years on the BBC
Holby City aired for 23 years on the BBC (Credit: BBC)

How unhappy Holby City fans reacted

Those blasting Freeze the Fear were frequently profane with their comments, such was their anger.

“#FreezeTheFear They cancelled #Holby for [blank] like this? Unbelievable,” tweeted one incredulous fan.

They cancelled Holby for this?

A second Twitter user hit out: “To think Holby City was axed to make pointless [blank] like this #FreezeTheFear.”

Dianne Buswell takes an icy dip on Freeze the Fear
Dianne Buswell takes an icy dip on Freeze the Fear (Credit: BBC)

“Can’t believe #BBC have taken off programmes like Holby and put on crap about people jumping in cold water #FreezeTheFear,” they wrote.

Additionally, the same person continued: “And why on earth are Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack there?”

Furthermore, someone else raged: “#FreezeTheFear @BBCOne cull #Holby for this total [blank] nonsense.”

More Freeze the Fear reaction

Away from upset Holby City fans, many other viewers made the same joke about Freeze the Fear.

They linked celebrities taking the plunge into freezing water to cutting back because of the cost of living crisis.

Read more: 365 Days on Netflix: Are they REALLY having sex and when can we get our Season 2 fix?

“Look how wonderful it is to be cold!” one person tweeted sarcastically.

“Is this a Government-sponsored information show to get us to turn that central heating off?”

Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof next airs on BBC One on Tuesday April 19 at 9pm.

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer