MRSM2B
03-03-2005, 11:05
Struggling soap EastEnders has suffered another blow after landing its second lowest ratings.
The soap was trounced by ITV1's Emmerdale, which once had barely a fraction of the BBC1 soap's audience.
Just 6.3 million viewers turned in to an hour-long special to view the aftermath of Dirty Den's death.
Emmerdale, which also showed an hour-long episode, showing a high-profile storyline on the departure of Charity Dingle, attracted almost three million more viewers than its rival.
The news has sparked industry speculation that the BBC may axe the programme next year, according to The Daily Mirror.
Last year, executive producer Louise Berridge quit after two years in the job following a barrage of criticism about gloomy storylines in the show.
Her replacement, Kathleen Hutchison, a former Holby City boss, left unexpectedly after just four months.
Last September, EastEnders hit its lowest audience of just 6.2 million, while the Yorkshire soap recorded 11.8 million viewers for its most popular episode of 2004.
A BBC spokeswoman told The Daily Express that there were no plans to axe the show. She said: "It is a permanent fixture in the schedule and I have heard no whispers about changes."
The soap was trounced by ITV1's Emmerdale, which once had barely a fraction of the BBC1 soap's audience.
Just 6.3 million viewers turned in to an hour-long special to view the aftermath of Dirty Den's death.
Emmerdale, which also showed an hour-long episode, showing a high-profile storyline on the departure of Charity Dingle, attracted almost three million more viewers than its rival.
The news has sparked industry speculation that the BBC may axe the programme next year, according to The Daily Mirror.
Last year, executive producer Louise Berridge quit after two years in the job following a barrage of criticism about gloomy storylines in the show.
Her replacement, Kathleen Hutchison, a former Holby City boss, left unexpectedly after just four months.
Last September, EastEnders hit its lowest audience of just 6.2 million, while the Yorkshire soap recorded 11.8 million viewers for its most popular episode of 2004.
A BBC spokeswoman told The Daily Express that there were no plans to axe the show. She said: "It is a permanent fixture in the schedule and I have heard no whispers about changes."