‘EastEnders’ has slipped to third in the soap viewing figures battle.
The BBC One show – which has recently brought back the likes of Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon) and Tamzin Outhwaite (Mel Owen) – has fallen behind rivals ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Emmerdale’ in the ratings.
According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, 6.6 million viewers tuned in to see the latest goings on in Albert Square in the first three months of 2018, but that is down 1.5 million compared to ‘Corrie’ and 500,000 less than ‘Emmerdale’.
This comes after ‘EastEnders’ was snubbed in the BAFTA TV nominations, missing out on a nod in the Soap and Continuing Drama category, while rivals ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘Hollyoaks’ are all up for the gong, along with ‘Casualty’.
EastEnders’ omission is the first time the programme has missed out on a nod in the category since 2005.
Following the news, former Walford star Kacey Ainsworth – who played Kat’s sister Little Mo from 2000 to 2006 – has defended the show, insisting the programme has "gone back to its roots" lately and "will be back" this year.
She tweeted: "No EastEnders on the BAFTA TV noms that’s a first! In the past few months EE has gone back to its roots, truly great characters, writers and actors and it shows. The only prog on TV depicting working class people not solely as benefit cheats and layabouts @bbceastenders
"This is for EE in 2017 – you wait 4 this year – EE will be back (sic)"
Since 1999, when the Soap and Continuing Drama category was first awarded at the TV BAFTAs, ‘EastEnders’ has been the most frequent winner, taking the title eight times.
EastEnders down to 3rd in soap league
