MX23RW : Monday, November 25 13:36:17| >> :600:132772045:132772045:

Ex-EastEnders actor Tom Watt: 'Four episodes a week too much'

Ex-EastEnders actor Tom Watt: 'Four episodes a week too much'
© BBC
Ex-EastEnders star Tom Watt says that he believes the soap has suffered from airing four episodes a week instead of two.

Former EastEnders star Tom Watt has said that the soap has suffered from increasing its episode count over the last few decades.

The 64-year-old was one of the original characters on the soap when it launched in 1985, playing the lovable Lofty for three years, departing in Spring 1988.

At the time EastEnders aired just twice a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays - and was drawing around 20 million viewers, but now airs four episodes a week, while rivals Coronation Street and Emmerdale each air six.

"The fact that we only did two episodes a week was fundamental to the success of the show," Watt told the Distinct Nostalgia podcast.

"It's something that soaps have lost now because there are four episodes.

"You would have people talking about the episodes from Thursday night and then what is going to happen the following Tuesday.

"If you have got four episodes each becomes a little less important."

Watt made a one-off guest return to the show last year for the funeral of Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton) and has previously revealed that he would be interested in a more permanent comeback.

ID:412088: cacheID:412088:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1941:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Black Friday Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £19 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends December 3, 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ben and Callum on EastEnders on May 18, 2020
Read Next:
Tony Clay previews Ballum future on EastEnders
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Monday, November 25


Made in Chelsea: E4, 9pm
Miles admits to the boys that he might actually be interested in Jazz, while Freddy's in another spot of bother

Coronation Street: ITVX, from 7am and ITV1, 8pm
Carla interrupts a robbery at the factory and ends up clobbered around the head

Date My Nan: ITV1, 11pm
Make-up artists glam up grannies and dispatch them off on blind dates

MasterChef: The Professionals: BBC One, 9pm
The 12 best chefs from the heat compete against each other for the first time