Ex-EastEnders star Derek Martin has stated the ‘miserable’ soap needs to bring back its humorous side, as fans fear for its future after announced a huge schedule shake-up.<br>The actor, who played Charlie Slater on the soap for 15 years, said the series needs to stop focusing on appealing to younger viewers, and bring back some of its old scriptwriters.<br>In recent days fans have expressed concern that their beloved soap could see its ratings plunge, after rivals and move timeslots in March.<br> Concerns: Ex-EastEnders star Derek Martin has stated the ‘miserable’ soap needs to bring back its humorous side, as fans fear for its future after ITV announced a huge schedule shake-up<br>The broadcaster has confirmed both shows will change time slots – putting them in direct competition with EastEnders – as ITV expand their news programme for an hour between 6:30pm and 7:30pm <br>Speaking to , Derek, who departed the soap five years ago when Charlie suffered a fatal heart attack off-screen, admitted the show has lost its focus on the key families, such as the Slaters, Mitchells and Fowlers.<br> RELATED ARTICLES

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He added the show has became centred on appealing to younger viewers, and no longer includes lighter elements in favour of ‘affairs and beating people up.'<br>Derek said: ‘You’ve got to have humour, especially in the depths of Covid, because there’s always something to laugh about in life.<br> Views: The actor, who played Charlie Slater on the soap for 15 years (pictured in 2006), said the series needs to stop focusing on appealing to younger viewers<br>’You used to have Charlie, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Jim Branning (John Bardon) sitting at the allotments with a few beers, just talking about silly things. That’s what happens in real life. You need that on EastEnders.<br>’EastEnders has been losing viewers for years and it’s sad.'<br>Former EastEnders script editor and BBC head of continuing drama Oliver Kent, also offered his thoughts to the publication, stating the soap’s focus on ‘sensational’ storylines has taken it away from its humorous roots.<br> Changes: Derek, who departed the soap five years ago when Charlie suffered a fatal heart attack off-screen, admitted the show has lost its focus on the key families<br>Noting the focus on ‘miserable’ plots, he added: ‘In trying to reach that mythical audience of 16 to 25-year-olds, EastEnders has tried to be too sensational and lost sight of who is actually watching it and why.'<br>A representative for EastEnders did not immediately respond to MailOnline’s request for comment. <br>In recent days EastEnders fans have shared concern that the soap could be ‘killed off’ by its ITV rivals, after it was announced Corrie and Emmerdale will move timeslots to compete with the show. <br> History: Referring to one of the show’s iconic moments, when Den Watts handed his wife Angie divorce papers (pictured), Derek added: ‘EastEnders has been losing viewers for years'<br>The broadcaster has confirmed both shows will change time slots – putting them in direct competition with EastEnders – as ITV expand their news programme for an hour between 6:30pm and 7:30pm. <br>Coronation Street will change to three hour-long episodes a week airing at 8pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while Emmerdale will now air at 7:30pm directly following the news.<br>The announcement left fans reeling, debating whether the BBC soap, which started in 1985, will be axed and comparing the soap to Channel 4’s Brookside, which was axed following a decline in viewership in 2003. <br> Change: In recent days EastEnders fans have shared concern that the soap could be ‘killed off, after it was announced Corrie and Emmerdale will move timeslots to compete with the show<br>EastEnders has seen its own shake-up of late, with the news that soap icon Danny Dyer, who plays Mick Carter, has quit the soap, while veteran star Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, took an indefinite break from the show last year.<br>At the time, BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline on whether their schedule may change as a result.<br>Fans quickly took to social media to react to the shake-up with one writing: ‘This gives me anxiety. What if EastEnders is axed – a world without EE. I cant even think about it.<br>’I think it’s a dirty move from ITV trying to kill EE off… I got anxiety, EastEnders is the next Brookside, this is going to kill the show.'<br> Scare: The broadcaster has confirmed both shows will change time slots – putting them in direct competition with EastEnders <br>Another wrote: ‘Bit of a bummer for #EastEnders this Face with tears of joy. It’ll clash with either #Corrie or #Emmerdale constantly. I don’t watch any of them live anyway but there’s bound to be some people who like to watch all of them live and will now have to choose.'<br>A third typed: ‘I’m not keen on it either really. It’s gonna clash with EastEnders which will be a nightmare unless the BBC decide to move #EastEnders to the 19:00pm slot which would be more beneficial.'<br>Others took a pragmatic approach, saying: ‘I don’t think ITV is doing it to kill EastEnders. Their Evening News program is a success and they wan’t to build off that. <br>’Plus airing a solid 90 min soap block keeps their soap viewers. In the event you adored this short article and you want to obtain more info concerning joker123 generously stop by our internet site. Currently since their is a 30 min gap at 8, viewers can leave before the 2nd Corrie episode <br> Drama: EastEnders has seen its own shake-up of late, with the news that soap icon Danny Dyer (pictured), who plays Mick Carter, has quit the soap <br>Another wrote: ‘I don’t think it’s them trying to kill off EastEnders – more about boosting the ITV schedule and its own soaps. They know BBC will almost certainly just have to move EE. <br>Speaking about the schedule change, John Whiston, ITV’s Managing Director of Continuing Drama said: ‘With Coronation Street bursting at the seams with fantastic story and character, the new format gives the show a brilliant new canvas on which to shine.<br>’And Emmerdale will do what it does best in this new time slot where viewers can continue to enjoy the dramatic goings on in the Dales.'<br>ITV’s Managing Director Kevin Lygo said in a statement: ‘As viewing habits rapidly change, live audiences to our national and international news programmes remain remarkably strong.  <br>’Our evening news programme reached an impressive 35.6 million viewers in 2021. We are very excited to be announcing this investment in what is an important public service strength of ITV – high-quality, impartial, trusted broadcast journalism – at a time when it could not be more important.<br>’The nation’s two most popular continuing dramas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are fundamental to the success of ITV, and we know that, as with all dramas, viewers increasingly watch them whenever, and however they choose.<br>’The new scheduling means that viewers can watch them live on TV in one go in a continuous soap fix, as well as on ITV Hub where they are regularly in the most watched shows every month.'<br>EastEnders currently airs on Monday and Friday at 8pm, and Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. <br> End of an era: Channel 4’s Brookside was axed following a decline in viewership in 2003 (pictured), and fans fear EastEnders could suffer the same fate<br>

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