'EastEnders' scrap plans for Spain episodes

[Abigail]

EastEnders producers have been forced to scrap plans to film a week's worth of episodes in Spain.

Chiefs had hoped to send the Mitchell family abroad for a special summer storyline, but they were told that it would not be possible due to cutbacks at the BBC.

"There's been a lot of cost-cutting recently and they couldn't justify taking the Mitchells abroad," an insider told the Daily Star Sunday. "They then hoped to keep the same dates and take them to Norfolk but it was even dearer. They're now looking at the south coast.

"The Mitchells are the most popular family in soap, so everyone is excited about filming the special episodes which will be shown in July."

[Abbie]

Hmmmm well it could of been interesting, depending on what the storyline is/was

[LostVoodoo]

"They then hoped to keep the same dates and take them to Norfolk but it was even dearer.

that's so true!

what about Brighton, they always go to Brighton and its a right laugh.

[CrazyLea]

Hmmm I will not watch any episodes with just the Mitchells. How boring would that be.

[Chris_2k11]

Please take them abroad and leave them there.

[Chloe O'brien]

Take them to the moon with a one-way ticket.

[Katy]

i was just thinking that, can whereever they go be a one way ticket.

[Chris_2k11]

Don't go dissing the Mitchells, Peggy'll get her boys onto ya !!!

[Kim]

It would have been really good, in my opinion, if Ronnie and Roxy were to go and we saw what they are like in Ibiza.

[Abigail]

A series of special EastEnders episodes will see the Mitchell family taking a holiday in Dorset.

As previously reported, plans to send the family to Spain for a dramatic new plot had to be scrapped due to cutbacks at the BBC.

Now the clan will travel to Weymouth for the shock script, which will see veteran actor Larry Lamb start his role as Archie Mitchell. The character is set to "blow the family apart".

An insider told the Daily Star Sunday: "The story works just as well in Weymouth. But there are some concerns about the British weather. It's so unpredictable and could cause a few problems for filming outside."

The source added: "They're having to hire extra security to make sure none of the Weymouth locals get a glimpse. It absolutely mustn't be leaked."

The episodes will air in the summer.