EastEnders set to be 'off air' until September
Bad news for fans!
Whilst the Emmerdale cast are back to social distancing filming, and the cast of Coronation Street will return on Monday 8th June, fans of BBC soap EastEnders have been patiently waiting some news about the soap's plans.
After it was revealed that the current EastEnders episodes are due to run out on 16th June, it looks like the long-running soap could go off air completely for at least six weeks, as bosses want to build up a block of episodes.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, an insider on the soap told the publication that although the cast are due to return to work at the end of June, the plan is to record a block of storylines for 6-8 weeks, which means the soap may not return until September.
The insider said, "Under the current plans we have enough episodes to take us through until June 16 but after that there will not be new episodes for a few months.
“We normally work 6-8 weeks ahead of what viewers see on screen, in terms of a block of storylines, and we would look to do the same thing again when we restart work.
“The cast will not be back on set until the end of June and everything has got to be done safely and in the right way."
The insider then added, "Filming with the new rules and regulations will take longer and so we could be back on screen at the end of August but that is being optimistic and it may take longer than that, which would mean the soap returning in September.
"No fixed date has been set."
Check out all of next week's EastEnders spoilers:
The week begins with Gray finding a disorientated Whitney on the street. She's being haunted by Leo's death so Gray invites her to his place to go over the case.
As they begin to open up, Gray mentions that her previous relationships could be used against her in court. He then asks Mick Carter and Linda Carter about Whitney's marriage to Lee Carter. Linda reveals that Lee hit Whitney…
Meanwhile Chantelle borrows Gray's car to pick up computers from Kheerat Panesar but her husband is clearly not impressed. Chantelle is unaware that he's installed a tracking device.
Gray is furious when he discovers she's visited various locations… He's further infuriated when he finds out that last week his car was in Stratford.
Unaware that it's because Ben took Gray's car on a dodgy deal, Gray jumps to conclusions and assumes Chantelle is having an affair.
He later berates his wife for lying to him… The following day Gray advises Whitney to use her flashbacks to help her remember exactly what happened.
Whitney manages to give a detailed account but starts breaking down. As Gray comforts her Whitney tries to kiss him…
Ian Beale arranges a memorial for Dennis leaving Sharon touched. He says a speech but is overcome with emotion.
Phil arrives at the last minute and his short speech leaves everyone teary… Later, there's tension between Phil and Sharon. Will they manage to find a way through everything that's happened?
Mick and Linda have their eyes on a house to rent but they're worried Phil is paying for The Vic with dodgy money…
Elsewhere Peter asks Dotty to fix his car but she refuses, not wanting anything to do with his family. She later offers to do the job but insists it's double or nothing.
After fixing his car they end up kissing but she quickly pulls away and rushes off… The next day Peter runs a fitness class and Dotty joins in to flirt with him but she struggles to keep up.
She then tells him that maybe he wasn't such a bad kisser after all… When Ian stumbles across them snogging he's left appalled.
Tiffany is surprised when she finds Keegan at the café but he's not interested in speaking to her so she leaves, devastated.
Later on the couple meet up to talk, but is Tiffany ready for what her husband has to say?
Rainie tells Habiba Ahmed that she's not interested in Max's money because she has Stuart… However Max isn't convinced and opens up to Ian about signing over half of the restaurant.
It's not all bad news for fans however, today EastEnders bosses confirmed fans of the show will still be able to get their fix, in the form of EastEnders: Secrets From The Square, which will be hosted by Stacey Dooley.
Airing on Monday nights, Stacey will host the show from Ian Beale's restaurant, as she sits down with two different members of the cast to reflect on their careers, and give some sneak peek behind the scenes tours.
As if that wasn't enough, on Tuesday nights, viewers will have the chance to reminisce and relive some of the unforgettable moments from over the years, as bosses show some iconic episodes.
EastEnders: Secrets From The Square premiers on BBC on Monday 22nd June.