EastEnders set to broadcast classic episodes and a new spin-off series fronted by Stacey Dooley to plug the gap when the soap goes off air
EastEnders have confirmed they will broadcast classic episodes and a new spin-off series fronted by Stacey Dooley when the show goes off air.
The BBC soap is set to run out of current episodes on Tuesday 16th June after they were forced to halt filming in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But they've now announced plans to plug the gap to ensure fans get their regular Albert Square fix when the episodes stop airing.
New show: EastEnders have confirmed they will broadcast classic episodes and a new spin-off series fronted by Stacey Dooley when the show goes off air
On Wednesday, the soap revealed that there will be a brand new show celebrating all things EastEnders fronted by presenter Stacey Dooley, 33.
The series, called Secrets From The Square, will see cast members including Danny Dyer and Letitia Dean reflecting on their time in Walford, as well as a sneak peak into life behind the scenes on the show.
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The show will take over the usual EastEnders slot on Mondays, starting on the 22nd June.
Other stars joining Danny and Letitia include Adam Woodyatt, Diane Parish, Tameka Empson and Kellie Bright, who'll sit down with Stacey in Beale's restaurant to look back on their time on the show and the biggest dramas in Albert Square.
Old school: They've now announced plans to plug the gap to ensure fans get their regular Albert Square fix when the episodes stop airing (pictured L-R Phil, Sharon and Grant Micthell)
Meanwhile, Tuesday's slot is set to be filled by classic episodes of the BBC soap, taking fans down memory lane.
Iconic moments from the series will include Max and Stacey's affair reveal, Sharongate and the infamous Den and Angie Watts divorce papers episode.
Controller of BBC Entertainment, Kate Phillips, said of the plans: 'EastEnders has been at the heart of BBC One since its inception 35 years ago.
'While going off air was never in their plan, we and the EastEnders team knew straight away that this would be the perfect opportunity to celebrate the show, look back on cherished memories of all those momentous episodes whilst taking a look around Albert Square and they may just give us some teasers as to what’s to come when they return.'
Pause: The BBC soap is set to run out of current episodes on Tuesday 16th June after they were forced to halt filming in March due to the coronavirus pandemic
While EastEnders' Executive Producer, Jon Sen, added: 'Although the drama from Albert Square will be off our screens for a short time, we are thrilled that fans will have a unique opportunity to see from the cast themselves just what it is like to be part of EastEnders when they see Secrets From The Square.
'As the cast look back – as well as forward – we can relive some of their most memorable moments and to add a selection of iconic episodes into the mix means viewers will be able to get their regular Walford fix until the drama returns.'
Elsewhere, Stacey Dooley said: 'I grew up watching EastEnders, so walking on to Albert Square was a surreal experience as well as taking a trip down memory lane and interviewing some of the legends of Walford has been great, I’ve loved every minute of it!'
Cast: Other stars joining Danny and Letitia include Adam Woodyatt, Diane Parish, Tameka Empson and Kellie Bright, who'll sit down with Stacey in Beale's restaurant to look back on their time on the show and the biggest dramas in Albert Square
It comes amid reports that the regular episodes could be off-air until September, with he cast and crew at set to return at the end of this month to resume filming.
The much-loved soap will be off the air for between six to eight weeks while they record a backlog of episodes, sources told the Mirror.
A show insider told the publication: '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.
Running out: It comes amid reports that the regular episodes could be off-air until September, with he cast and crew at set to return at the end of this month to resume filming
'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.'
The source confirmed that there is no exact return date set yet.
This comes after it was reported the soap is set to go off air in two weeks as the cast have still not returned to work after the soap halted production in March.
While Emmerdale is back in production and the cast of Coronation Street are set to return on Tuesday June 9, EastEnders are yet to resume filming.
An insider told The Sun Online: 'It's due to go off air on 16 June. Talks about when the cast are returning to set are ongoing.'
Halted: This comes after it was reported the soap is set to go off air in two weeks as the cast have still not returned to work after the soap halted production in March
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