'Doc Martin' to bow out with final series, Christmas special and documentary

Martin Clunes is about to begin filming Doc Martin for the last time as the final series of the ITV drama gets underway.

ITV has announced that the medical series set in Cornwall, which has been a hit around the world, will begin filming series 10, its last one, this week and will also bow out with a Christmas special and a documentary about the programme.

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Doc Martin began in 2004 and has seen Clunes play grumpy, blood-phobic doctor Martin Ellingham on the Cornish coast for the last 18 years.

Clunes said: "I have loved going to Cornwall to make Doc Martin over the last 18 years, and I have looked forward to returning to this beautiful county this year for the tenth and final series.

"The people of Cornwall, and Port Isaac in particular, have always been so helpful to us when we are making the series. We have some great story lines for the new series, and for the Christmas special, which I hope Doc Martin fans will love.

"I shall miss Cornwall, and all the lovely people we have worked with. But it is the right time to say farewell to the Doc, and Portwenn."

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Viewers will bid a final farewell to Doc Martin with the Christmas special, and documentary Doc Martin - A Celebration will look at the show's impact around the world as well as going behind the scenes of the final series.

Set in the fictional town of Portwenn, it films in hamlet Port Isaac which has become a popular tourist destination globally thanks to the show.

Last series saw Doc Martin decide to leave his career as a GP after being investigated by the General Medical Council over his blood phobia.

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Wife Louisa (Caroline Catz) is now practising in his old surgery as a child counsellor after a career change from teaching, leaving the Doc at home with their baby daughter and young son - but will he live to regret his decision?

Also returning to the cast for the finale are Dame Eileen Atkins who plays Doc Martin’s formidable Aunt Ruth. Ian McNeice as Bert Large, and Joe Absolom as his son Al. John Marquez is PC Joe Penhale, Jessica Ransom is the doctor’s receptionist Morwenna Newcross and Selina Cadell is pharmacist Mrs Tishell.

ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill said: "If this really has to be the final series of Doc Martin, we thought we'd also commission a Christmas special!

"It'll be sad to see the series come to an end after entertaining audiences on ITV for the last 18 years, but we'll make sure the finale is memorable and befitting such a success story."

Watch: Phillip Schofield apologises for Martin Clunes' language on This Morning