[278] When repeats and omnibus editions are shown, the BBC pays additional fees to cast and scriptwriters and incurs additional editing costs, which in the period 20092010, amounted to 5.5million. [334], In October 2009, a 12-part Internet spin-off series entitled EastEnders: E20 was announced. [284] This caused some controversy as the first Friday episode clashed with Coronation Street, which was moved to 8pm to make way for an hour-long episode of rural soap Emmerdale. And she admitted she fears for soaps in general following the demise of Neighbours earlier in the year. NOTE: Please do not add content from the BBC iPlayer's early episodes until it has been aired on television, as it is intrusive to our readers who may not have seen the episode on iPlayer. He classed 1989's changes as a brave experiment, and suggested that while some found this period of EastEnders entertaining, many other viewers felt that the comedy stretched the programme's credibility. [156] Following criticism aimed at the show's over-emphasis on "gangsters" in 2005, such characters have been significantly reduced. Four EastEnders episodes are listed in the all-time top 10 most-watched programmes in the UK, including the number one spot when over 30 million watched the 1986 Christmas Day episode. [225] In March 2020 during the suspension of filming, the interior sets were used for a new adaptation of Talking Heads. Ant and Dec were back presenting their adored show as it returned to ITV on Saturday (February 25) with a brand new series where David Tennant was the guest presenter. The programme has since attempted to address these issues. [226] In January 2022 the new 86.7m exterior set of EastEnders was officially unveiled by the BBC replacing the original set built in 1984. [25] The visual images were taken from an aircraft flying over the East End of London at 1000 feet. The viewing figures for 10 episodes are unknown. In August 2006, a scene involving Carly Wicks (Kellie Shirley) and Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) having sex on the floor of Scarlet nightclub, and another scene involving Owen Turner (Lee Ross) violently attacking Denise Fox (Diane Parish), prompted 129 and 128 complaints, respectively. They then published their data as millions of viewers. She was also critical of language such as "bleeding", "bloody hell", "bastard" and "for Christ's sake"; however, Whitehouse also praised the programme, describing Michelle Fowler's decision not to have an abortion as a "very positive storyline". [322][323] Additionally, episodes of EastEnders are available on-demand through RT Online for seven days after their original screening. After it aired, many took to Twitter to express how unimpressed they were with the Christmas episode. Digital Spy opined that the ratings drop was accredited to "lacklustre storylines" and thought that storylines on rival soaps were better. [97] Jon Sen was announced on 10 December 2018 to be taking on the role of executive producer. Realising the futility of the situation, Grade decided to move the show to the later 7:30pm slot. This marked the first time that it had been used for anything other than EastEnders. A new era began in 1990 with the introduction of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp)the Mitchell brotherssuccessful characters who would go on to dominate the soap thereafter. Within days, a scandalous headline appeared "EASTENDERS STAR IS A KILLER". EastEnders suffered its lowest ratings on record last summer when viewing figures were just 2.4million. EastEnders has not hit 6 million in. [76] Old sets had to be rebuilt, so The Queen Victoria set was burnt down in a storyline (and in reality) to facilitate this. Here's the full breakdown of what helped the Beeb achieve its best-ever year. This was to coincide with the relaunch of the channel and helped BBC Three break the one million viewers mark for the first time with 1.03million who watched to see Mark Fowler's departure. In March 2011, Royal Mail allocated the E20 postal district to the 2012 Olympic Park. Other permanent staff included the producer's office, script department and designer, meaning between 30 and 35 people would be working full-time on EastEnders, rising to 60 to 70 on filming days. [23], Through the next few months, the set was growing rapidly at Elstree, and a composer and designer had been commissioned to create the title sequence. [285], In early 2003, viewers could watch episodes of EastEnders on digital channel BBC Three before they were broadcast on BBC One. Robinson also earned tabloid soubriquet "Axeman of Albert Square" after sacking a large number of characters in one hit, and several more thereafter. [38] Ferguson was succeeded by both Leonard Lewis and Helen Greaves who initially shared the role as Executive Producer for EastEnders. [380], In 1992, writer David Yallop successfully sued the BBC for 68,000 after it was revealed he had been hired by producer Mike Gibbon in 1989 to pen several controversial storylines in an effort to "slim down" the cast; however, after Gibbon left the programme, executive producers chose not to use Yallop's storylines, which put the BBC in breach of the contract Yallop had signed with them. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. In response to the criticism, EastEnders apologised for offending real life detectives and confirmed that they use a police consultant for such storylines. The Daily Mirror's Jamie Roberts felt that viewers had "turned their back" on the soap due to its lack of interesting stories and iconic characters. Holland drew on the names of his own family for the characters. Aside from this, soap opera staples of youthful romance, jealousy, domestic rivalry, gossip and extramarital affairs are regularly featured, with high-profile storylines occurring several times a year. In 2021, "UEFA Euro 2020: England vs Denmark" recorded the largest TV viewing audience of the year, with 18.4 million individuals watching the program. A father-of-three has filed a complaint against YouTube for allegedly gathering data on children's viewing habits . [128] There is also a market close to Fassett Square at Ridley Road. He was a racist thug, who often tried to lead other young characters astray. [10] They also looked at Brookside but found there was a lack of central meeting points for the characters, making it difficult for the writers to intertwine different storylines, so EastEnders was set in Albert Square. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! "[12], The target launch date was originally January 1985. Newman stepped down as executive producer after 16 months in the job in 2013 after the soap was criticised for its boring storylines and its lowest-ever figures pointing at around 4.8million. Based on market research by BBC commissioning in 2003, EastEnders is most watched by 60- to 74-year-olds, closely followed by 45- to 59-year-olds. Figures show that on July 31 the London-based soap opera recorded its lowest ever viewing figures since the show first aired in 1985. Millions of EastEnders viewers have turned their back on the long-running soap, according to the latest reports. This led to the introduction of some characters who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted. ", "Coronavirus: Filming of EastEnders suspended until further notice", "EastEnders and Top Gear to resume filming in June, BBC says", "EastEnders confirms plans for behind-the-scenes show when soap goes off air", "BBC One celebrates EastEnders with Secrets From The Square as well as a selection of iconic episodes from the past", "EastEnders to return to four-nights-a-week schedule with shorter episodes", "EastEnders resumes filming with a big change in Albert Square", "EastEnders confirms return date and reveals huge new autumn spoilers", "Eastenders, Masterchef and Emmerdale all cancelled tonight after death of Prince Philip", "EastEnders to release episodes early on iPlayer for the first time ever", "EastEnders to continue releasing episodes early as box set experiment is extended", "Soaps unite to help highlight climate change", "Casualty, Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Holby City to highlight climate change", "EastEnders references Coronation Street storyline as Bailey goes viral", "EastEnders references Hollyoaks as Cindy Cunningham goes viral", "Emmerdale gives EastEnders a shout-out as soap crossover continues", "EastEnders airs big change for new episodes", "EastEnders schedule changes to begin next month", "EastEnders celebrates the Jubilee with a special royal theme tune in the end credits", "Olympic Park to share EastEnders' Walford E20 postcode", "Who are the EastEnders' Carter family? [371], In 2008, EastEnders, along with Coronation Street, was criticised by Martin McGuinness, then Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, for "the level of concentration around the pub" and the "antics portrayed in The [] Queen Vic". [269] Bywater only discovered Bobby was responsible for Lucy's death on the morning of Thursday, 19 February, several hours before they filmed the scenes revealing Bobby as Lucy's killer. The number was similar to the previous year, despite a captive audience, with coronavirus restrictions confining people to their homes. [28] Anticipation and rumour grew in equal measure until the first transmission at 7p.m. on 19 February 1985. The soap was beaten in the 7.30pm time slot by Victoria Coren. [222] In December 2018, it was revealed that the new set was now planned to cost 59million but a National Audit Office (NAO) report stated that it would actually cost 86.7million and be completed two-and-a-half years later than planned, in 2023; the NAO concluded that the BBC "could not provide value for money on the project". EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins shares emotional pictures from his last day", "EastEnders date revealed for new boss's first episode", "Casualty boss Oliver Kent is now in charge of EastEnders", "Spoilers EastEnders boss first interview on show changes and future", "EastEnders confirms producer Sean O'Connor is leaving the soap effective immediately", "EastEnders executive producer leaves programme after one year BBC News", "EastEnders boss John Yorke extends contract with the soap again", "Eastenders viewers moved as soap breaks format to raise awareness of knife crime", "EastEnders confirms new boss as Kate Oates takes over from John Yorke in top job", "EastEnders is searching for a new executive producer to work with Kate Oates", "Why EastEnders has broken new ground with Ruby Allen's consent episode", "EastEnders, Coronation Street and The X Factor decline is driving down TV viewing figures", "EastEnders is ratings success on BBC iPlayer", "EastEnders has best year ever on BBC iPlayer", "EastEnders bosses reveal how actor reacted to shock death storyline", "Why is Bleu Landau leaving EastEnders as Dennis dies? 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