EastEnders bosses are reportedly planning to scrap all the storylines and start afresh in a huge post-coronavirus reboot.
The BBC soap is set to go off air in a matter weeks after running out of episodes following a halt in filming amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, show bosses have come up with a plan to return with a bang, with the soap in essence beginning a second series.
New beginning? EastEnders bosses are reportedly planning to scrap all the storylines and start afresh in a huge post-coronavirus reboot
According to The Sun, EastEnders want to use this ‘unprecedented’ opportunity to really make a ‘big event’ out of its return.
A source told the publication: ‘Everyone understands that this is an unprecedented moment in the soap’s history having to take this break, so they want to make a big event out of the comeback.
‘They’re planning big storylines and a big marketing push — but that may mean they just start new stuff from scratch rather than continuing where they’re already at so they can be dramatic as possible.’
‘It would essentially mean the first series of EastEnders lasted 35 years — and the second starts in two months.’
None left: The BBC soap is set to go off air in a matter weeks after running out of episodes following a halt in filming amid the COVID-19 pandemic
The proposed reboot is among many ideas considered for the soap as the cast and crew prepare to start filming again later this month.
MailOnline have contacted EastEnders representatives for comment.
It comes after EastEnders confirmed they will broadcast classic episodes and a new spin-off series fronted by Stacey Dooley when the show goes off air.
The BBC soap is set to run out of current episodes on Tuesday 16th June after they were forced to halt filming in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
New idea: show bosses have come up with a plan to return with a bang, with the soap in essence beginning a second series
But they’ve now announced plans to plug the gap to ensure fans get their regular Albert Square fix when the episodes stop airing.
On Wednesday, the soap revealed that there will be a brand new show celebrating all things EastEnders fronted by presenter Stacey Dooley, 33.
The series, called Secrets From The Square, will see cast members including Danny Dyer and Letitia Dean reflecting on their time in Walford, as well as a sneak peak into life behind the scenes on the show.
The show will take over the usual EastEnders slot on Mondays, starting on the 22nd June.
New approach: They’re planning big storylines and a big marketing push — but that may mean they just start new stuff from scratch rather than continuing where they’re already at so they can be dramatic as possible’
Unprecedented: ‘It would essentially mean the first series of EastEnders lasted 35 years — and the second starts in two months’
Other stars joining Danny and Letitia include Adam Woodyatt, Diane Parish, Tameka Empson and Kellie Bright, who’ll sit down with Stacey in Beale’s restaurant to look back on their time on the show and the biggest dramas in Albert Square.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s slot is set to be filled by classic episodes of the BBC soap, taking fans down memory lane.
Iconic moments from the series will include Max and Stacey’s affair reveal, Sharongate and the infamous Den and Angie Watts divorce papers episode.
Elsewhere, reports suggest that the regular episodes could be off-air until September, with he cast and crew at set to return at the end of this month to resume filming.
New show: EastEnders have confirmed they will broadcast classic episodes and a new spin-off series fronted by Stacey Dooley when the show goes off air
Old school: They’ve now announced plans to plug the gap to ensure fans get their regular Albert Square fix when the episodes stop airing (pictured L-R Phil, Sharon and Grant Mitchell)
The much-loved soap will be off the air for between six to eight weeks while they record a backlog of episodes, sources told the Mirror.
A show insider told the publication: ‘Under the current plans we have enough episodes to take us through until June 16 but after that there will not be new episodes for a few months.
‘We normally work 6-8 weeks ahead of what viewers see on screen, in terms of a block of storylines, and we would look to do the same thing again when we restart work.
‘Filming with the new rules and regulations will take longer and so we could be back on screen at the end of August but that is being optimistic and it may take longer than that, which would mean the soap returning in September.’
Pause: The BBC soap is set to run out of current episodes on Tuesday 16th June after they were forced to halt filming in March due to the coronavirus pandemic
Cast: Other stars joining Danny and Letitia include Adam Woodyatt, Diane Parish, Tameka Empson and Kellie Bright, who’ll sit down with Stacey in Beale’s restaurant to look back on their time on the show and the biggest dramas in Albert Square