Are there budget problems?!’ demand EastEnders fans as they call out ‘glaringly obvious’ pattern of stars leaving soap
Could the milestone anniversary explain the number of show absences?
EASTENDERS fans have been left questioning if the soap is undergoing ‘budget problems’ amid a string of cast exits.
Eagle-eyed fans appear to have noticed a pattern in the characters who take time away from the show.
Over recent weeks, many of the show’s biggest characters have vanished in a flash from the BBC set.
Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, left the show soon after the major The Six reveal on Christmas Day.
Her on-screen exit saw her and baby Albie flee to Australia at the turn of the New Year with Sharon remaining off-screens ever since.
Martin Fowler, played by James Bye, has also headed Down Under to join her with other characters quick to jump out of the door.
Tameka Empson is currently on a break from the show to appear in a stage play leading to Kim Fox being absent from the show with temporary exits for Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) too.
Commenting on the soap movers and shakers, one fan asked: “Is there Budget problems at EE?”
They then went onto suggest that a large number of cast breaks are occurring ahead of the BBC soap’s big milestone anniversary.
The fan added: “Are they all taking their breaks before the big 40th.
“It’s glaringly obvious.”
Some fans later went on to point out a ‘clue’ as to why a series of stars appeared to be off in quick succession.
Alluding to the filming schedule, it was suggested that stars were absent due to taking part in pantomime during the Christmas season.
Scenes currently being aired on the show were filmed before the end of last year during the time when many cast are allowed to earn big-money by swapping the Square for the stage.
One fan said of the ‘pattern’: “It has been standard for several cast members, usually ones heavily involved with Xmas storylines, to go on a break soon afterwards – often tiring in with the actor’s doing Panto.
“It almost became tradition that Sharon would leave for America on Xmas Night and Phil would be arrested or go on the run around the time of his birthday in mid January.”
Someone else was left questioning: “Oh come on I’ve never noticed it before. It’s an unusual amount of people taking breaks!”
Another then added: “The breaks seriously are getting out hand.
“They seriously need to put a hard limit on the amount allowed to do these panto breaks/anything else at the same time.”
But one fan defended the large number of show absences to say: “Panto breaks which happen every year & other breaks too.
“The cast are allowed time off just like in ANY other job & since their pantos fall in the Christmas season then the breaks happen at the same time.”
