American EastEnders fans are not taking the cancellation of the award-winning British soap lying down it seems. Nearly 9,000 Walford aficionados have signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of the popular London-based soap after it was cancelled due to what BBC America called "abysmal" ratings.
Some viewers, it seems, have been so traumatised at having their weekly insight into the goings on in Albert Square curtailed that they have threatened to cancel their subscription. The president of programming for BBC America, David Bernath, remained adamant, however, saying the show has "underperformed in the ratings".
Presumably the news that they will miss out on the newly announced nuptials between Alfie Moon and Kat Slater will make the blow even harder to bear for the show's American viewers, who see episodes a few weeks after they are shown in the UK.
The pair, played by Shane Ritchie and Jessie Wallace, are due to tie the knot, after months of speculation, in an episode to be filmed in Scotland's luxurious Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond. Staff at the five-star hotel have been sworn to secrecy on details but reveal: "We were contacted by the BBC a few weeks ago about making the hotel available for filming. We were told it is for Kat Slater's wedding to Alfie Moon, which we believe will be some sort of special episode."
A spokesperson for the BBC was unforthcoming on the subject, saying only: "We cannot comment on future storylines. We have recently filmed one wedding involving Kat Slater and who knows if there is going to be another one."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
