EastEnders fans left enraged after BBC soap set for major scheduling shake-up

EastEnders fans expressed their frustration on the weekend over the news that the BBC soap opera is the subject of a change to the schedule soon due to the airing of an interview

EastEnders fans have been left livid after the show has been pulled from its slot.

The iconic programme has been moved in an upcoming schedule, with a special interview in its slot. The long-running BBC soap opera usually airs Monday to Thursday each week. It's however been moved on occasion to accommodate other content, like some episodes having been affected by football coverage over the summer.

There's set to be further disruption to the TV schedule next month as the show's 7.30pm to 8pm slot on October 3 is being taken up by an interview with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, conducted by Laura Kuenssberg. Instead, EastEnders will now air the following evening on BBC One, despite it not usually being broadcast on a Friday night.

The alteration to the usual schedule is confirmed by TV guides for the coming weeks and has prompted criticism on social media. Fan account @WalfordEast shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday morning.

The tweet read: "#EastEnders will not air at its regular time on Thursday, October 3rd, due to a special interview with [Johnson] conducted by [Kuenssberg]. The soap will instead be broadcast on Friday, October 4th at 7:30pm, ensuring fans don't miss out on the latest drama from Albert Square."

The post was met with disappointment among fans of the show, with some expressing disinterest in watching the interview with the former Conservative Party leader. Others questioned why the special broadcast couldn't have been on October 4 itself, which wouldn't have affected EastEnders.

One person reacted to the tweet: "Why do they assume everyone will want to watch this interview? Abysmal." Another viewer said: "Why can't Johnson's interview not be shown on Friday? And what makes you think I'll be watching it?"

Someone else asked: "Why can't they put the interview on Friday or on BBC News?" A fourth person questioned similarly: "Why couldn't they just put Boris Interview on on the Friday instead?" Whilst another fan tweeted: "I do not approve."

"I'm fed up with my viewing choices (that I pay to watch) being shoved aside at the drop of a hat. We've had months of it because the sports have to (for some unfathomable reason) switch channel mid game now, Politics, FFS," someone wrote.

Another said: "What the f***?? He's not even the current Prime Minister." Questioning the news, someone else wrote: "Please someone tell me this is a joke." Similarly, another asked: "Is this a f ing joke?" One person instead encouraged fans to appreciate that the postponed episode would still air that week, tweeting: "At least its still on that week be grateful."

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