Fears for EastEnders‘ future have been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over ‘desperate’ plots and woke storylines in recent times, it’s been reported.
In the BBC soap’s heyday, it would draw in audiences of up to 30 million, with storylines such as Den and Angie Watts’ divorce dominating – however, these days it barely manages to draw in a million viewers.
It is said that viewers have been put off by ludicrous recent plots such as soap legend Cindy Beale returning from the dead – which has been branded a ‘desperate move’ – while there are also claims that it’s gone ‘woke’.
While the decision to build an eye-watering £87 million new set has also apparently come under scrutiny.
And now, according to The Sun, it’s said to be a ‘worrying time’ for EastEnders, with bleak predictions that viewers may be watching the ‘final days’ of the BBC soap.
Switching off? Fears for EastEnders’ future have been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over ‘desperate’ plots and woke storylines in recent times, it’s been reported
Concern: The show has seen an alarming dip in viewing figures over recent years
Peak: In the BBC soap’s heyday, it would draw in audiences of up to 30 million, with storylines such as Den and Angie Watts’ divorce dominating – however, these days it barely manages to draw in a million viewers
A source told the publication: ‘It’s a worrying time for EastEnders.
‘It used to be the show which everybody was talking about but it’s now in a precarious position where older viewers are switching off, and younger viewers have no interest.
‘Bringing back presumed dead characters is a desperate move which rarely works, but EastEnders is really running out of options. We could be watching its final years.’
A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: ‘EastEnders episodes are made live to the audience at 6am every morning on BBC iPlayer giving the audience the choice to watch when and where they choose, so when episodes are moved to a different day, or channel, due to a live sporting event it is no surprise that this is reflected in the regular overnight audience.
‘Over the last two weeks EastEnders has been streamed almost 18 million times on BBC iPlayer and remains one of iPlayer’s most popular programmes.’
EastEnders shocked last month as Cindy Beale came back from the dead, as Michelle Collins reprised her role after 25 years.
It emerged that she’d been in witness protection after her former cell mate wanted her dead – with Cindy also revealed to be George Knight’s long-lost wife ‘Rose’, who’s been hiding out in France with her ex Ian Beale.
However, despite the shocking twist, The Sun claims that Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw’s ‘desperate move’ of being her back failed to spark ‘the desired upturn’.
With actress Michelle herself saying she thought it was a ‘ridiculous idea’ upon first hearing the plot.
Uh oh: It is said that viewers have been put off by ludicrous recent plots such as soap legend Cindy Beale returning from the dead – which has been branded a ‘desperate move’
Under pressure: While the decision to build an eye-watering £87 million new set has also apparently come under scrutiny
Oh no: It’s said to be a ‘worrying time’ for EastEnders, with bleak predictions that viewers may be watching the ‘final days’ of the BBC soap
And figures show that the BBC drama is struggling to compete with ITV rivals Emmerdale and Coronation Street, who regularly draw in four millions fans.
The soap has also reportedly had big name former stars sharing criticism over storylines, with Mick Carter actor Danny Dyer previously stating of his character: ‘I didn’t quite know who I was playing any more.’
While he also referred to the falling ratings as he noted that he’d had several people ask him over the years if he was still in the soap as they no longer watched it.
Elsewhere, Heather Trott actress Cheryl Ferguson was said to have claimed that the show was no longer ‘relatable’ as it was too violent.
It comes as it’s been revealed that the soap’s writers have got some viciously dynamite fights planned between the Cindy and her former mother-in-law, Kathy Beale – played by Gillian Taylforth.
Drama: It comes as it’s been revealed that the soap’s writers have got some viciously dynamite fights planned between the Cindy and her former mother-in-law, Kathy Beale – played by Gillian Taylforth (pictured)
Tension: Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: ‘It doesn’t take long and it’s still the same Cindy at the core, she’s just been on one hell of a journey since we last saw her’
They infamously despised one another after Cindy cheated on Kathy’s son Ian with David Wickes – and now EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw has described the moment they come face to face once again 26 years after Cindy left as ‘absolute dynamite’.
Chris said: ‘Cindy’s a little softer through everything that has gone on, after 25 years of living a different identity and living a lie to her other family – and what comes quite apparent later in the year when she returns to Walford is it doesn’t take long before we see flashes of the old Cindy Beale and she still has it, there’s some absolute dynamite between Cindy and Kathy.
‘It doesn’t take long and it’s still the same Cindy at the core, she’s just been on one hell of a journey since we last saw her.’
