Ex-EastEnders star Tom Watt says too many episodes have caused ratings slump
[ad_1]
Former EastEnders star Tom Watt says there are now too many episodes of the soap per week – and that is causing ratings to fall.
Tom played Lofty Holloway on Albert Square from 1985 to 1988, and his pairing with Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) was a huge hit with fans.
Back in his time the soap could often attract more than 20 million viewers and while viewing habits mean no shows get that kind of audience now in 2020, the show struggles to pull in four million viewers per episode.
The actor feels that increasing the volume of episodes does not give fans the chance to discuss big moments.
Tom, 64, said: “The fact that we only did two episodes a week was fundamental to the success of the show.
(Image: BBC)
(Image: BBC)
“It’s something that soaps have lost now because there are four episodes.
“You would have people talking about the episodes from Thursday night and then what is going to happen the following Tuesday.
“If you have got four episodes each becomes a little less important.”
(Image: BBC)
(Image: BBC)
Tom, who returned to the soap for one episode for the funeral of Dr Harold Legg in February 2019, reckons he would go back to the Square for the right storyline.
He told the Distinct Nostalgia podcast: “I would say ‘Yeah great’.
There are some good people working on it now.”
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us direct 0207 29 33033
[ad_2]
Source link
