Eastenders all-time low

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Eastenders audiences hit a record low on Tuesday thanks to a clash with farming soap Emmerdale.

Just 6.4million viewers, half the usual figure, tuned in.

Already hit by the sex scandal surrounding Dirty Den actor Leslie Grantham, the BBC1 soap could now be in line for major changes.

Although the BBC blamed warm weather on Tuesday, executives will be worried at being trounced by ITV1's Emmerdale which pulled in 7.6million viewers.

The rural soap has been boosted recently by signing stars such as Patsy Kensit and has also just snapped up Lily Savage star Paul O'Grady. But EastEnders has seen a reversal of its fortunes.

It began by being left off the list of nominations for this year's Bafta TV awards for the first time in its history.

The soap was then rocked by the embarrassing publicity surrounding Grantham being caught taking part in Internet sex sessions.

Last week, he attended a formal disciplinary hearing at the BBC where he was told he will be suspended for two months without pay from June at a cost of around £30,000.

One BBC insider said: 'You can't help but wonder if there's been a knock-on effect from the Grantham scandal.

'It's certainly being discussed here in the BBC and will put further pressure on the soap's makers. But Emmerdale has also been having a good run.'

When the 57-year-old married star returned to the show as Dirty Dennis Watts last year, 17 million tuned in.

But since then ratings have dropped and writers are looking at axing some characters such as the Ferrera family and bringing back favourites such as hardman Phil Mitchell.

For Emmerdale, the ratings triumph is the result of years of trying to rebuild the 30-year-old Yorkshire Dales soap.

The show has become more racy and introduced sensationalist plots.

Tuesday night saw the culmination of a story about adultery.

Viewers tuned in to a special hour-long edition to find out if farmer Andy would exact revenge on cheating brother Robert for sleeping with his wife Katie.

Viewers have also taken to Miss Kensit, who has been introduced in the role of superbitch Sadie King to bring an element of glamour to the soap.

John Whiston, director of drama at makers Granada said: 'We're thrilled with Emmerdale's performance.'

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