Shane Richie’s return just cannot revive the once-brilliant BBC soap – EastEnders what have you done?
The BBC soap has gone through a tough few years of late with terrible decision after terrible decision tearing the formerly beloved show apart.
But nothing – not even the bin storyline – has come close to being as appalling as the latest misstep.
Last night the BBC announced it is bringing back Shane Richie as Alfie Moon.
It was news shocking enough to distract from the complete disaster that is our current Government – and no less disastrous.
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Some comebacks are great for soaps – Sam Mitchell being a case in point.
And some are less brilliant – Janine Butcher for example.
But this is just beyond terrible. Alfie Moon is the definition of a spent character.
EastEnders is making a mistake bringing Alfie back
By the time of his last stint everything good, fun and enjoyable about Alfie had been ripped away and in its place was a thoroughly unpleasant character.
It was particularly horrible to watch as he knocked up yet another Slater (Hayley, remember her?) and let Kat burn in an insurance fire.
Let’s be clear – other than presumably Shane Richie, literally no one else has been clamouring for Alfie’s comeback.
The fan reaction was split – with some excited – but many exactly the opposite.
One super fan posted on DS forums: “Awful decision. Are they trying to save the show or kill it?”
Another said: “That’s me switching off then. Can just about handle Kim, add Mo and Alfie and it becomes unwatchable. Bad move Clenshaw.”
Hardly a ringing endorsement for how ‘beloved’ Alfie is, is it?
With this decision, there’s fair reason to worry whether the new EastEnders boss knows what the show needs to thrive.
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So come on, please do better – the soap and its die-hard fans deserve better.
Want more spoilers from EastEnders? Entertainment Daily has a dedicated EastEnders spoilers section for you to get your fix before the latest episodes air.
EastEnders usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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