Oops.

Our website is temporarily unavailable in your location.

We are working hard to get it back online.

PRIVACY
TV

BBC bosses plot soap rival for struggling EastEnders to reflect 'modern Britain'

The BBC are said to be working on a brand new 'modern' soap with a cast of actors being scouted on Instagram as ratings for EastEnders continue to slide

BBC execs are plotting what has been dubbed a new "woke soap" to provide a competition for struggling EastEnders.

They want it to reflect a "modern Britain" as the long-standing programme's ratings continue to slide.

Bosses could even hand-pick its stars from social media and it would be set in either Ireland, Scotland or northern England.

Plans are being put into place and BBC Three boss Fiona Campbell has even shared some ideas about potential setting and casting.

They are looking into the new soap despite the BBC's future currently hanging in the balance amid reported plans to abolish TV licence fee.

BBC Three boss Fiona Campbell confirmed the wheels are in motion
EastEnders could have another soap rival with the programme struggling for viewers(Image: BBC/KieronMcCarron)

It would reflect the channel's focus on "how tough it is to be in your teens and early 20s today".

She said: "I think a BBC Three soap would be a great opportunity to showcase modern Britain, somewhere very specific in modern Britain.

"You know, it could be Derry, or Belfast, it could be Aberdeen, it could be Newcastle. I'd want to put it somewhere like that and then showcase a locality like that in all its glory."