'EastEnders' bosses are said to be considering starting afresh with brand-new storylines following the soap's enforced break.
Shona McGarty
The BBC One show will run out of new episodes on June 16th, after filming was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it is said they may begin again with new plots when they do resume shooting.
A BBC source said: "Everyone understands that this is an unprecedented moment in the soap's history having to take this break, so they want to make a big event out of the comeback.
"They're planning big storylines and a big marketing push - but that may mean they just start new stuff from scratch rather than continuing where they're already at so they can be dramatic as possible."
Should this idea get off the ground, it could mean 'EastEnders' - which stars the likes of Shona McGarty (Whitney Dean) - will effectively begin a "second series", following the first 35 years of the show.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "It would essentially mean the first series of 'EastEnders' lasted 35 years - and the second starts in two months."
This comes after the BBC confirmed Stacey Dooley will host 'EastEnders: Secrets From The Square', a new programme which will give viewers an insight into Albert Square like never before, while the main show is off air.
Stacey will take over Ian Beale's Walford East restaurant each week with two different cast members reflecting on their time on the show, teasing what's to come, and there will be a sneak peak behind the scenes.
She said: "I'm delighted to be hosting 'Secrets From The Square'.
"I grew up watching 'EastEnders', so walking onto Albert Square was a surreal experience as well as taking a trip down memory lane and interviewing some of the legends of Walford has been great. I've loved every minute of it!"
And the BBC will air a selection of iconic episodes on Tuesday nights to let viewers "reminisce and relive some of the unforgettable moments from the past".
'EastEnders: Secrets From The Square' begins on June 22nd.
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