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River City producers are planning a major revamp of the Scottish soap, it was revealed today.

Insiders have claimed that chiefs will embrace the show's new hour-long format by emulating dramas like Holby City and Casualty.

The BBC programme originally aired for 30 minutes twice a week, but this was changed earlier this year. Since then, viewers have been seeing two episodes shunted together in the new slot, but producers will start filming new hour-long episodes next month.

One source told the Daily Record: "The soap as the viewing public know it will be changed to become more of a weekly drama. The suggestion is that very little will refer back to earlier storylines."

Executive producer Sandra MacIver is being replaced by NCS Manhunt director Sue Austin. Other staffing changes are also said to be taking place at the moment.

A BBC Scotland spokesman said: "We're excited by where River City's going."


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