Beloved soap star admits they 'broke all the rules' ahead of final episode

Doctors legend Elisabeth Dermot Walsh had a surprise admission about her iconic character Doctor Zara Carmichael on Thursday's Morning Live.

The hit BBC medical series is set to say its final goodbyes later today (Thursday November 14) after an impressive 23-year run. The soap wrapped up filming months ago, but fans can catch the concluding episode on Thursday at 2pm on BBC One.

Appearing on Thursday's BBC Morning Live, actress Elisabeth, 50, opened up about her time on the show, as well as confessing she may have broke a huge TV rule.

Asked whether she stole anything from set amid the end of Doctors, Elisabeth joked: "Are you asking if I've stolen anything? Yes you are!" She continued: "Well, I might have something here but in my defence, I bought it!

"On Doctors, we are very often in the staff room having coffees and teas, it was a great place for people to have chats, you know the water cooler moment?

"One day I was in a shop and found a mug with a golden Z on it, which I just knew would be perfect for Zara! I don't know what came over me, I'm not normally naughty, but I bought it and brought it in. I didn't really ask anybody, I just started using it which broke all the rules because you must always have two props in case on gets broken!

"For years I've had that Z mug as I just felt like she would have it and I've still got it!" to which she held up the Z mug on screen.

The network signalled the end for Doctors in October last year, revealing the heavy-hearted resolution to conclude the journey. Speaking at the time, the network said: "We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime drama Doctors to an end after 23 years. With super inflation in drama production, the cost of the programme has increased significantly, and further investment is also now required to refurbish the site where the show is made, or to relocate it to another home."

Doctors has been a launching pad for numerous celebrities throughout its two-decade history. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke, The Crown star Claire Foy, and Killing Eve's leading lady Jodie Comer have all appeared on the soap since its inception on March 26 2000.

A host of other stars have also graced Doctors over the years, such as Eddie Redmayne of Fantastic Beasts fame, Nicholas Hoult, Sheridan Smith, Call The Midwife's Helen George and the star of Lucifer Tom Ellis, among many others.

The final ever episode of Doctors will air on BBC One on 14 November at 2pm.