Latest news with #ChrisClenshaw
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders confirms end of an era as huge change is confirmed
It's the end of an era in EastEnders next week, and a change in the BBC soap's credits will reflect the change. I am, of course, referring to the departure of much-celebrated Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw. The 38 year old TV boss announced he was stepping down from the show last year, having sailed the broadcaster's flagship programme out of murky waters and into an era of unmissable viewing. Fans were naturally devastated, given he was instrumental in some of the greatest plots we've seen in years – from The Six's involvement in Keanu Taylor's (Danny Walters) murder, to Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) recent mental health crisis. There was also Cindy Beale's (Michelle Collins) return from the 'dead' after 25 years, two Mitchell flashback episodes and the recent 40th anniversary live episode. He created the Knights; the first Black and dual heritage family to run a pub on any UK soap, headed up by Colin Salmon, and has brought back fan favourites including Adam Woodyatt, Thomas Law, Jacqueline Jossa, Anita Dobson, Angela Wynter and Patsy Palmer. And what a way to end his tenure – last night's British Soap Awards saw EastEnders pick up 8 gongs, including Best British Soap, outperforming their rivals. Ben Wadey, former Commissioning Editor at Channel 4, will be taking over the role. He's no stranger to Albert Square, having worked on the 35th anniversary and also in the studio next door – as Story Producer for the final series of Holby City. Chris' final episode will air on Friday, June 13, with Ben's first episode airing the following Monday, June 16. Speaking about his new role as Executive Producer, Ben Wadey said: 'I'm thrilled to be returning to EastEnders at such an exciting time for the show. 'Having grown up watching and loving EastEnders, it sparked my passion for television, and I feel I've known the residents of Walford my entire life – so to lead this iconic BBC soap into its next chapter is a true privilege. 'I can't wait to collaborate with the exceptional team at EastEnders and build on Chris Clenshaw's brilliant work to deliver unmissable stories to fans – both those who have been watching for years and those just discovering Albert Square.' Speaking of his decision to leave, Chris added: 'As a proud EastEnders fan, it has been the honour of my life to be its custodian. It has meant everything to me, and I've given Walford my all. 'I made the tough decision that I would step down after the 40th anniversary many months ago – to keep EastEnders creatively refreshed as it's a show that needs to constantly evolve. After what will be three years at the helm and leading the team through its milestone celebrations, the time feels right that I hand over the keys to The Queen Vic. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! 'Elstree holds a special place in my heart. My special thanks go to the sensational EastEnders cast and crew that I'm incredibly proud to have led over the past few years, and who have provided me with unwavering support. 'Their commitment, passion and talent has inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them and proud of everything that we've achieved together. More Trending 'EastEnders has been the highlight of my career and I have loved every minute of it, but it's time for change, and for a new chapter, and I'm delighted to be staying within BBC Studios Drama Productions. 'I'm pleased to be passing the show on to Ben Wadey. I'm confident that, under him, EastEnders will continue to thrive, and I wish him the very best as it is without doubt the best job in telly and I hope he enjoys the ride just as much as I have. Thank you, EastEnders – for everything.' After departing EastEnders, Chris will continue working for BBC Studios Drama Productions. View More » EastEnders returns on Tuesday, June 10 at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed first from 6am on iPlayer. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Inside Emmerdale star Amelia Flanagan's life with fellow soap actor siblings MORE: The moment EastEnders wins Best Soap at the British Soap Awards MORE: The biggest complaint about Race Across The World misses the point completely
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders in schedule shake up as soap undergoes major change from next week
EastEnders won't be in it's usual Monday - Friday slot next week due to schedule changes on the BBC, but it's not the only major change the soap will see If you're planning to sit down for your daily dose of EastEnders next Monday (June 9), you may have to think again. The soap will be undergoing a schedule shake up next week. The BBC soap usually airs from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm. Eager fans who can't wait until the evening have the option to watch the drama unfold from 6am on BBC iPlayer. However, next week the show will be airing on Tuesday - Friday due to the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Belgium and Wales, live from Brussels. Coverage will begin at 7:30 straight after The One Show, and will finish at 10pm just in time for the BBC News at 10. The first trip to Albert Square next week will be available to watch on iPlayer from 6am on Tuesday June 10. It's not the only huge change for the soap. Next Friday (June 13) will be executive producer Chris Clenshaw's last episode before Ben Wadey takes over. Last October, it was announced that Chris Clenshaw had made the decision to step down as Executive Producer in February 2025 once the soap has celebrated its 40th anniversary. It will be a memorable final episode for Chris, as Kat and Alfie prepare the knot once again. But will third time really be the charm for one of Walford's favourite couples? Chris returned to EastEnders taking on the role as Executive Producer in January 2022. During his time as producer, Chris created many bold and storylines that will go down in the show's history, including The Six flashforward whodunit, and the return of Cindy Beale. He also brought back favourites including Jacqueline Jossa, Shane Richie, Angela Wynter and Patsy Palmer. Speaking of his decision to leave, Chris Clenshaw said: 'As a proud EastEnders fan, it has been the honour of my life to be its custodian. It has meant everything to me, and I've given Walford my all. I made the tough decision that I would step down after the 40th anniversary many months ago – to keep EastEnders creatively refreshed as it's a show that needs to constantly evolve. After what will be three years at the helm and leading the team through its milestone celebrations, the time feels right that I hand over the keys to The Queen Vic. "Elstree holds a special place in my heart, and I know when the day comes, it'll be hard to tear myself away. My special thanks go to the sensational EastEnders cast and crew that I'm incredibly proud to have led over the past few years, and who have provided me with unwavering support. Their commitment, passion and talent has inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them and proud of everything that we've achieved together.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Huge ex-EastEnders star will make shock return to BBC soap two years after being brutally axed
EX-EastEnders star Max Bowden is making a shock return two years after he was axed. The actor, who played Ben Mitchell, will get a guest stint in the coming months, with a possible full-time role if all goes well. Then-showrunner Chris Clenshaw gave Max the boot at the end of 2023 during a showdown over his party lifestyle. But he has been given another chance by the BBC soap's new boss Ben Wadey. A source said: 'Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It's taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.' Last month, the new boss went to see Max, 30, in the musical Midnight Cowboy. The source added: 'Ben wanted to meet Max and see where his head was at. 'Things hadn't ended particularly well and Ben wanted to assure him this could be his fresh start. "Max agreed to return for a short stint after Ben pitched his comeback storyline. "But who knows what will happen? It really does depend on Max.' The actor, who joined EastEnders in 2019, said last year: 'I did nearly 600 episodes in five years, which is a hell of a lot, and it was time for a rest.' He is reportedly dating actress Tori Allen-Martin, 38, his Midnight Cowboy co-star at London's Southwark Playhouse. EastEnders declined to comment. 'I wasn't me' reveals EastEnders star Max Bowden as he speaks out over controversial Ben Mitchell exit 1
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
EastEnders set to air visual impairment storyline
EastEnders is working with advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on an upcoming storyline where Lauren and Peter's son is diagnosed as severely sight impaired. Having struggled to settle baby Jimmy in recent weeks, Lauren becomes concerned by his lack of ability to focus as he struggles to latch during breastfeeding. Determined to follow her mother's instinct, Lauren takes Jimmy to the hospital for further tests where the doctors confirm that Jimmy is severely sight impaired. The storyline will follow Lauren and Peter as they attempt to navigate life with a newborn, the symptoms that Lauren picks up on which leads her to seek a diagnosis, and how the diagnosis will impact Jimmy and their family as a whole. Speaking of the storyline, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw says: 'It was imperative that we worked with RNIB and experts in the field when consulting on Jimmy's visual impairment storyline to ensure it was portrayed sensitively and accurately. The story will continue to develop over time as we look to focus on how the diagnosis affects Lauren and Peter as parents, their family and later, the effects this will have on Jimmy.' Louise Gow, RNIB's Head of Eye Health, Optometry and Low Vision, says: 'Working with EastEnders on this important storyline involving Lauren, Peter and baby Jimmy has been such a great experience. The team at EastEnders has worked closely with RNIB by listening to our advice and developing a story that authentically captures the experiences of parents of children with visual impairment. While every family's experience is different, the story demonstrates the emotional impact and challenges of vision impairment. It highlights and raises awareness of the support that is available for people with sight loss – parents, carers, children, and young people.' CT3
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders bags bittersweet win as best soap at BAFTA TV Awards after ITV rival Emmerdale forced to withdraw from nominations
EastEnders bagged a bittersweet win as Best Soap at the BAFTA TV Awards after ITV rival Emmerdale was forced to withdraw from nominations. The BBC drama beat Casualty and Coronation Street and scooped the prize at the prestigious ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday. Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw accepted the award and thanked fans for their support over the last 40 years, while cast members stood proudly beside him on stage. However, the win comes after ITV competitor Emmerdale withdrew its entry for the award back in March after one of the scriptwriters was found guilty of domestic abuse. Bosses at the channel pulled out of the nomination after writer Martin Fustes pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend. According to The Sun, ITV felt it was inappropriate to be included after the recent developments, as the soap has recently featured and won acclaim for a storyline about domestic abuse. A spokesperson for ITV and Emmerdale told MailOnline at the time: 'ITV and Emmerdale have taken the decision to withdraw from the Soap category from this year's awards. 'This is in consideration of recent news involving a member of the scriptwriting team.' The Sun reported how BAFTA members had been told that anyone who had voted for Emmerdale had to recast their votes following the withdrawal. The top writer for Emmerdale told his partner he wanted to kill her and chop up her face, a court heard. Martin Fustes, 47, assaulted the terrified woman and the made vile threats on January 27 after a late-night argument at their home in Beverley, East Yorkshire, where they lived with their children. She feared she was going to die after abusive boyfriend Fustes turned nasty and began suffocating her by putting his hands over her nose and mouth and told her he wished she could be set alight and hanged from a tree. Fustes admitted assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, and an offence of intentional suffocation when he appeared before Hull Magistrates' Court on January 31. At his sentencing at Hull Crown Court on February 28, he was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 150 hours unpaid work, 15 days rehabilitation and a 26-session probation service domestic abuse programme. He was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation, £150 in costs and was given a ten-year restraining order. Fustes has been an Emmerdale writer for at least 10 years, according to a fan page of the ITV soap, and is understood to have even penned domestic violence storylines -a key focus in the soap over the last 12 months. An ITV spokesperson said at the time: 'We were shocked and appalled to learn about the recent court case involving Emmerdale writer Martin Fustes. Mr Fustes is a freelance writer and he has been informed that he will no longer be writing for Emmerdale. 'Everyone at ITV and Emmerdale abhors domestic abuse, which is why we have been highlighting the issue in a major storyline over the last 12 months. The Emmerdale production team were not aware of these charges against Mr Fustes until we were alerted over the weekend.' 2025 BAFTA TV AWARD WINNERS AT A GLANCE Drama Series - Blue Lights (BBC One) Limited Drama - Mr Bates vs the Post Office (ITV1) International - Shogun (Disney+) - WINNER Scripted Comedy - Alma's Not Normal (BBC Two) Entertainment - Would I Lie To You? (BBC One) Entertainment Performance - Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett (Channel 4) Strictly Come Dancing: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell's Waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone (BBC One) Factual Entertainment - Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour (BBC Two) Factual Series - To Catch a Copper (Channel 4) Specialist Factual - Atomic People (BBC Two) Live Event Coverage - Glastonbury 2024 (BBC Two) News Coverage - BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special (BBC One) Leading Actress - Marisa Abela, Industry (BBC One) Leading Actor - Lennie James, Mr Loverman (BBC One) Supporting Actress - Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix) Supporting Actor - Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman (BBC One) Female Performance in a Comedy - Ruth Jones, Gavin & Stacey (BBC One) Male Performance in a Comedy - Danny Dyer, Mr Big Stuff (Sky Comedy) Reality - The Jury: Murder Trial (Channel 4) Soap - EastEnders (BBC One) Daytime - Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure (BBC Two) - WINNER Current Affairs - State of Rage (Channel 4) Shortform - Quiet Life (BBC Three) Sport - Paris 2024 Olympics (BBC Sport) Children's Non Scripted - FYI Investigates: Disability and Me (Sky Kids) Children's Scripted - CBeebies As You Like It at Shakespeare's Globe (CBeebies)
