The BBC has confirmed that it is reducing the number of episodes of Casualty made each year due to cost pressures.

The Saturday night medical drama has been a staple for BBC One since 1986 and for the last two decades has typically aired 44 to 48 episodes each year.

Now, as a result of super-inflation in the TV production sector, the annual episode count will go down by seven a year to just 36 - meaning that the show has now gone on a temporary break.

"This is not the first time the show has taken a break due to the busy Autumn schedule," a BBC spokesperson told The Sun.

"Our priority is always delivering quality over hours and due to super inflation in drama production we've taken the decision to slightly reduce the number of episodes per year in order to maintain the quality on screen for audiences.

"We've received no complaints from cast and crew, and it will be back on air later this year."

The news comes after Casualty's long-running spinoff show Holby City was axed last year to make room for more dramas, including the revival of Waterloo Road.