Kat Slater & Alfie Moon

[Kissinger]

I don't get it, so does this mean they are going to be out of EE most of this year, and some of next, as they abscond to Ireland?

[Perdita]

I can't help feeling this is an attempt to bring back their popularity as I think viewers interest in them has gone down from when they first became a couple .... not sure it will work but good luck !

[lizann]

i don't remember them having any irish connections or relatives

[Perdita]

EastEnders has received a warning from an Irish politician over its upcoming spinoff.

It was announced last week that Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie) will take a break from Albert Square later this year, and will star in their very own drama series in 2016.

Kat, Alfie and the twins
© BBC

The series will see the reunited couple try to start a new life in Ireland following a tumultuous couple of years.

However, Ireland's Junior Tourism Minister, Michael Ring, has urged producers to learn from previous mistakes and portray the country in a more positive light.

Three episodes of the BBC soap were set in Ireland back in 1997, as Pauline Fowler went in search of her long-lost sister.

The episodes caused controversy over their portrayal of Irish life, which included wild animals on the streets and drunk and disorderly behaviour. The BBC issued an apology to the country following the broadcast of the episodes.

Alfie hopes Kat wants him back
© BBC
Viewers will soon see Kat and Alfie reunite after months of turmoil

Speaking about the show's return, Ring told the Irish Independent: "The British market is still our number one market for tourism. And, once it is selling Ireland in a positive manner, I would welcome it.

"I hope they have learned from their mistakes and I hope they will be showing Ireland in a positive light this time."

Dominic Treadwell-Collins said of the spinoff: "My team here are very excited about creating a whole new drama that stands apart from EastEnders, while taking our style of storytelling to a place of stories, myth, secrets and immeasurable beauty."

Kat and Alfie's new series will begin filming this autumn and is due to transmit as six hour-long episodes next year.

EastEnders airs on RTE One in Ireland.

[alan45]

Dominic Treadwell-Collins said of the spinoff: "My team here are very excited about creating a whole new drama that stands apart from EastEnders, while taking our style of storytelling to a place of stories, myth, secrets and immeasurable beauty."

What a patronising git

[parkerman]

What a patronising git

Exactly what I thought when I read it.

[maidmarian]

What a patronising git

Myths secrets!! That will be more retcons
character re-writes and personality transplants
then.Wonder if Emerald Isle will be shaken
to its foumdations(probably have more sense)

The story could be ok -if only it didnt have
Alfie in it!!!.my opinion!!
I think.Perdita is correct when she says an
attempt to relaunch Alfie & Kat as a popular
couple but has doubts it will work.

They are at last dealing with Kats childhood
abuse storyline - which will take time but
should give the character some closure and
a new start(hopeully) This would be one step
forward but to then put her back with.Alfie
would be three steps back( again my opinion)
And Jessie Wallace can give a very convincing
performance unlike .....!

[maidmarian]

What a patronising git

Myths secrets!! That will be more retcons
character re-writes and personality transplants
then.Wonder if Emerald Isle will be shaken
to its foumdations(probably have more sense)

The story could be ok -if only it didnt have
Alfie in it!!!.my opinion!!
I think.Perdita is correct when she says an
attempt to relaunch Alfie & Kat as a popular
couple but has doubts it will work.

They are at last dealing with Kats childhood
abuse storyline - which will take time but
should give the character some closure and
a new start(hopeully) This would be one step
forward but to then put her back with.Alfie
would be three steps back( again my opinion)
And Jessie Wallace can give a very convincing
performance unlike .....!

[Perdita]

EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has teased Kat and Alfie Moon's upcoming spin-off series, revealing that there will be two big twists for the characters before they head out of Walford.

It was revealed earlier this month that the on-off couple would be taking a break from the main show in order to star in a six-part spin-off series.

Treadwell-Collins has now revealed that viewers will be given a hint as to what the spin-off show will be about before Kat and Alfie depart.

Speaking about the new project, he told Radio Times: "There are two massive twists coming up for Kat and Alfie in the next couple of weeks in the main show that will give you clues as to what the spin-off show is about.

"We want to create something big around them. EastEnders as a brand can afford to do it and I've always wanted to do something like that."

Treadwell-Collins also revealed that the show will not solely be about Kat and Alfie, as it will incorporate other characters as well.

He said: "The other important thing about the spin-off show is it's not just about Kat and Alfie - we've created a whole new world and a new lot of characters.

"The writers have created a really lovely, interesting world, but also with our style of storytelling."

Confirming that the pair would be "gone for a while" but it would be "worth the wait", Treadwell-Collins added that he is confident EastEnders will keep moving without them.

He said: "I'm not at all [worried] because we've got the strongest cast we've ever had. And the show can keep moving without Shane and Jessie."

[parkerman]

Treadwell-Collins added that he is confident EastEnders will keep moving without them.

He said: "I'm not at all [worried] because we've got the strongest cast we've ever had. And the show can keep moving without Shane and Jessie."

Really? Surely not. Everyone knows that we only tune in to watch Shane and Jessie. No-one is interested in the rest of the cast and characters. FFS!!!