Christmas crisis in the Square

Bookies are predicting a lean Christmas for EastEnders.

11:01 24 September 2004

EastEnders can expect record low viewing figures over the Christmas period, bookies are predicting.

Sporting Index reckons the Beeb's flagship soap could attract as few as 12 million viewers this year as poor storylines and dull characters prompt fans to switch off.

"It's a shame, but you can understand why people are being turned off," Sporting Index spokesman Wally Pyrah told the Daily Star.

This week, the show received its lowest ever number of viewers with just over six million tuning in to see Martin do the dirty on Sonia.

In years gone by EastEnders has been right up there with the Queen's speech. Back in 1986, 30 million watched as Dirty Den handed his deceitful other half, Angie, divorce papers as a Christmas present.

The show was dealt another blow on Monday when executive producer Louise Berridge stepped down.