EASTENDERS’ big return to screens last night helped the soap win its timeslot – but just 3.35m people tuned in to watch.
The BBC soap was forced to take a three month break due to the coronavirus pandemic, but filming resumed on Albert Square in June.
However despite a big push, the BBC soap couldn’t manage to match its ITV rivals with Emmerdale attracting 4.51m viewers and Coronation Street being watched by 5.31m.
The figures don’t include catch-up services and all soaps enjoy a large bump in time shift figures.
The new episodes have been filmed with cast and crew adhering to social distancing guidelines, with the use of screens, body doubles and CGI to film intimate moments.
The viewers who did watch were overjoyed at the soap’s return last night.
Viewers watched as police officer Callum Highway (Tony Clay) was left with a tough decision over boyfriend Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden).
Clay said he was “buzzing to be back” while fans also shared their joy at the show’s return.
One tweeted: “bbceastenders was so good!! Filming techniques were fantastic! It was so great to have all my favourite characters back on the screen with updates on their lives slipped in.
“What an ending too!! Can’t wait for tomorrow! I’ve missed you.”
Another referenced EastEnders’ famous “duff duff” drum beats that signify the end of an episode, writing: “Great first duff duff to the first episode of Series 2 of #EastEnders…! So glad it’s back and as gripping as ever!”
One fan praised the BBC soap’s use of socially distance filming.
They said: “Eastenders needs to take a well deserved bow over how they’ve handled social distancing filming. It looked so good.”
And another added: “It’s so great having bbceastenders back! Everything feels fresh, new and exciting again, and the social distancing filming/editing techniques are brilliant! And I’m loving Copper Callum!
“Well done to all the cast and crew.” And another wrote: “Strong comeback bbceastenders.”
