FANS are raising doubts about the future of Last of the Summer Wine.
Just six episodes remain and there are currently no plans to start filming any more in and around Holmfirth.
The BBC say a decision over its future will be made when the six episodes filmed last year are set to be broadcast, expected to be in August.
But cast and crew, who are usually filming new episodes at this time of year, have not been informed of any future filming plans.
Director Alan Bell said that the BBC would be making a big mistake if they scrapped the show, which has been running for 37 years.
A Songs of Praise special is expected to be filmed at one of the churches in the Holme Valley, which could coincide with the six episodes being broadcast.
But fan websites say sources have revealed that no further episodes will be made.
Fan Terry Bartlam has now started a petition calling for a further series or a final special if the six episodes are to be the last, to allow the show to end on a high.
Alan Bell said: “We should be filming now for the next series, but nothing is planned. The BBC say a final decision has not yet been made, which sounds wonderful, but cast and crew can’t keep hanging on, they need to look for work. It’s hugely popular, especially in the US, there should be more. You don’t kill off your longest-running most successful programme.
“This programme has run for 37 years if the viewing figures were going down I could understand it, but they’re not.”
Fans have been contacted the BBC to call for a guarantee over its future.
Terry Bartlam runs a fan www.summerwine.net and said: “We’ve had people from America, Australia and Europe saying how much they love the show.
“I’d like to see it do 40 years, that would be amazing for the show and the BBC, it’s an achievement they could really boast about.
“But we’ve heard it’s all over.”
The Examiner asked the BBC to clarify the future of the hit show and , yesterday a spokesman said: “That hasn’t been confirmed yet, there are episodes left to be broadcast and a decision will be taken on that when the current one is on the air. As far as I am aware a decision hasn’t been made yet.”
