EASTENDERS has been dropped from BBC One in favour of Wimbledon coverage for the first time ever.
The long-running soap has found a temporary new home on BBC Two for the duration of the two week tennis tournament.
It will air in its usual time slot of 7.30pm Monday to Thursday.
The move hasn't proved popular with Walford Square fans, with one writing on Twitter: "What I’ve never understood is why the BBC insists on moving the BBC One evening schedule (One Show, EastEnders, etc.) over to BBC Two just so the Wimbledon coverage can be on One. What’s wrong with the tennis being on Two?!"
In another bid to avoid clashes with sporting events, the soap will also be available in advance in iPlayer, with all its week-long episodes at 6am on Monday mornings.
The move allows audiences to watch the programme whenever or wherever it suits them on BBC iPlayer, or to tune in as the episodes air on BBC One.
The Mitchells will be at the heart of the drama this summer as Phil makes a lethal enemy in prison leaving him wondering if this is the end.
Meanwhile, Sam is settling back nicely into the Square but her true intentions will soon come into play with big consequences.
Ben will also be struggling in the wake of his horrific rape. Despite Kathy’s support, his behaviour is set to spiral out of control.
Mitch Baker is in for a shock when his estranged brother, Avery, and two sons, Finlay and Felix turn-up in the Square.
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It doesn’t take Mitch long to realise his brother is keeping a secret from him but as always in Walford, things never stay secret for long.
Avery isn’t the only person keeping secrets and the Panesar family will face one of their toughest times yet as their loyalty is tested to the limit.
With secrets set to explode, tensions simmering away and families close to breaking point, this summer in Albert Square will be anything but a quiet one.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer said: “With such a big summer of sport ahead, box setting all four episodes again this year feels like the perfect solution to enable EastEnders viewers to choose when and where they want to get their weekly fix from Albert Square.
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“We have a big summer ahead so this is the perfect way to ensure that no one has to miss out.”
EastEnders is one of the most popular programmes on BBC iPlayer and was streamed over 285 million times in 2021.
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