BBC Scotland soap opera River City concluded on Monday with an explosive hour-long episode, ending a 24-year run set in the fictional Glasgow community of Shieldinch. Its cancellation matters because it closes a long-running Scottish television drama despite appeals from cast and crew, amid BBC cost-cutting.

The finale centred on villain Lenny Murdoch confronting Harry Foulkes after Harry kidnapped Lenny’s daughter, Amber; a car chase ended with Lenny igniting petrol towards Harry’s trapped vehicle. It also included Scarlett and Sam’s wedding celebration, a reflective moment for long-serving character ‘Shellsuit’ Bob, and Angus proposing to Amber. The programme’s £5 million Dumbarton set was demolished and sold to a property developer.