Stars set for Albert Square shake-up

[kayla05]

22/08/2005
Flagging BBC soap, EastEnders, is set for a major overhaul by the show's bosses in an attempt to reverse its fortunes.

The show has continued to lose viewers in the past 12 months at an alarming rate, allowing both of rival ITV's soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street to steal away the limelight.

But an Albert Square insider told the Star that the show's chiefs are not prepared to let this trend continue, without at least putting up a fight for the ratings.

And the mole revealed that the tactics most likely to be employed will be wholesale, and in some cases, shocking, personnel changes.

"There is no crisis," they insisted. "But even we have to admit that the programme is in the dumps and some vital members of the cast will soon be departing never to return."

The tabloid continues to quote a whole series of possible introductions the insider suggested could appear on our screens.

They include the introduction of another family from hell, with the insider convinced that the slightly exhausted and ineffective tactic would prove a hit.

"This family will explode on to the scene, racking up tensions whenever they appear," they said.

Other suggestions include the arrival of a shady escort agency, masked as a model agency and fronted by an alluring new female star.

A rival pub to the Queen Vic has also been mooted, as has the introduction of a fierce, ex-army officer clergyman.

"There is a picture of a vicar who comes to the church in later life, having seen action in the Army," the mole added.

"In other words, he'd be a man of God with a real iron fist and wouldn't shrink from physical action."

However, EastEnders' decline has been so severe that scriptwriters are expected to go all out for a major storyline to clear the decks, so expect serious catastrophes to befall the residents of Walford in due course.

[*_*Smile*_*]

lets hope that it works .... if it's all true

[Jojo]

They've tried the rival pub before though with the Dagmar.....if this is all true, I hope they make a good job of it!!!

[Layne]

Same kinda thing but this is from Wanadoo


Desperate EastEnders bosses are planning yet another shake-up of the ailing soap – and it looks as if they’ve stopped relying on the tired strategy of bringing back old favourites like Grant Mitchell and Kat Moon.

The top secret plans are still under discussion but the Daily Star has got wind of some of the more sensational (and we use the word loosely) ideas. One involves the creation of a back-street model agency, fronted by a glamorous woman in her mid-to-late thirties, which turns out to be a front for an escort agency.

Other storylines would focus on a rival pub to the Queen Vic, a health centre in or near Albert Square (yawn), plus new arrivals in the shape of a tough clergyman and yet another family from hell (double yawn). Wake us up when boffins in the lab have come up with some decent ideas - or can guarantee some red hot romance between Kat and Grant. Now, that's something we'd definitely tune in to see.

[kirsty_g]

right

[alan45]

According to The Mail on Saturday there is a UK wide shortage of straws as EE bosses have been clutching at so many of them in an effort to woo back viewers..

Dont blame me. I thought it was funny.. Im only repeating what I read

[hayley]

some of the ideas are a bit strange!

[callummc]

With ideas like that god help us,although i agree somthing needs to be done and rapid cos things are not improving thers only about 10 minutes of each episode thats worth watching,but most of its badly written boring pathetic and but its still got the little glimmers of good writing and acting,maybe it is time for a major overhall

[pops110874]

With ideas like that god help us,although i agree somthing needs to be done and rapid cos things are not improving thers only about 10 minutes of each episode thats worth watching,but most of its badly written boring pathetic and but its still got the little glimmers of good writing and acting,maybe it is time for a major overhall

I agree with you and the 10 mins of watchable stuff (at the moment) is centred around every character who is leaving! (shannis, chrissie, sam, kat etc)

cant say i like any of these ideas, in fact i think they are ridiculous!

Seems like they want to change the whole character of ee - a rival pub?! an escort agency??!!

I agree with the kat and grant romance comment!! that would be fab!

[sarah21]

EastEnders doesn't need any more character changes. It needs to build on the characters it's already got, together with some strong new ones.

I don't have a problem with the actors, most do a good job when they are given a decent script. One of the reasons people like UK Gold so much is the mix of characters. If they get rid of any of the long term characters like Pat, Pauline, Ian, Sonia, Jim or Dot to mention a few, I can see a lot more people turning off.

It's the writers they need to axe, not the characters.