EastEnders fans fuming after soap set for huge scheduling shake-up

Harriet Thorpe in a scene from the BBC soap EastEnders.
-Credit: (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)


EastEnders fans are up in arms after finding out the much-loved soap is being shuffled from its usual spot. The telly staple is set to be moved in an upcoming TV lineup, making way for an exclusive interview. The familiar scenes of Albert Square usually grace screens from Monday to Thursday every week, but now and then it takes a backseat for alternate programming, as witnessed when football coverage took precedence this summer.

In a fresh shake-up, the show's regular 7.30pm to 8pm slot on Thursday, 3 October will instead be taken up by an interview with ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, helmed by Laura Kuenssberg. Consequently, EastEnders fans will have to wait until Friday, 4 October to catch up with their favourite characters, with the episode airing unusually on a Friday night on BBC One.

Boris Johnson at a press conference in 2021.
An interview with ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson will air instead -Credit:Getty Images

This change, which has been confirmed in TV guides, has caused quite the stir on social media platforms. A fan account broke the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, igniting discussions amongst viewers on Sunday, 22 September, reports the Mirror.

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Their tweet announced: "#EastEnders will not air at its regular time on Thursday, October 3rd, due to a special interview with [Johnson] conducted by [Kuenssberg]. The soap will instead be broadcast on Friday, October 4th at 7:30pm, ensuring fans don't miss out on the latest drama from Albert Square."

EastEnders fans voiced their dismay on social media about the programme being rescheduled to accommodate an interview with former Tory leader, leaving some questioning why it wasn't scheduled for Friday, 4 October instead, thus keeping Albert Square's drama uninterrupted. One disgruntled viewer wrote: "Why do they assume everyone will want to watch this interview? Abysmal."

Another chimed in, asking: "Why can't Johnson's interview not be shown on Friday? And what makes you think I'll be watching it?" A perplexed fan wrote: "Why can't they put the interview on Friday or on BBC News?" Echoing this sentiment, another questioned, "Why couldn't they just put Boris Interview on on the Friday instead?" While yet another expressed outright disapproval with, "I do not approve."

Jamie Borthwick in EastEnders
Thursday's episode of EastEnders will now air on Friday -Credit:BBC, Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Another frustrated comment read: "I'm fed up with my viewing choices (that I pay to watch) being shoved aside at the drop of a hat. We've had months of it because the sports have to (for some unfathomable reason) switch channel mid game now, Politics, FFS."

In confusion over the decision, someone exclaimed: "What the f***? ? He's not even the current Prime Minister." And Trying to make sense of the situation, another commented, "Please someone tell me this is a joke."

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