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EastEnders will go off air next month before filming restarts

EASTENDERS will go off air next month before filming resumes.

The BBC soap cut down its episode broadcasts to just two per week after the pandemic shut production down.

 The soap will go off air for a short period of time next month
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The soap will go off air for a short period of time next month

The Sun Online can now reveal the soap will run out of pre-filmed episodes next month before the soap will be able to begin filming again.

A source exclusively said: "There will be a break for the soap next month.

"Everyone wants to get back to work of course but the health and safety of cast and crew is the most important thing. It will only happen when it can be done safely."

BBC boss Charlotte Moore announced plans to restart production earlier this week.

 Fans will be understanding over the limits the soap will have
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Fans will be understanding over the limits the soap will have
 Storylines may have to be reworked and scenes will be shot socially distanced
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Storylines may have to be reworked and scenes will be shot socially distanced

Her statement came after production was halted on the show due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "We've been looking carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I'm pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of June.

"We're also exploring ways to restart shooting on dramas and other major BBC shows."

She added: "Of course, we will work within Government guidelines. Crews will be strictly limited. Cast members will do their own hair and make-up. Social distancing will be in place."

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Filming on BBC shows such as Line Of Duty, Peaky Blinders and Call The Midwife has come to a halt.

The BBC reduced the number of pre-filmed EastEnders episodes it aired a week to make them last as long as possible.

Controller of BBC drama Piers Wenger previously said the broadcaster hoped to resume filming on soaps "as soon as possible".

Wenger pointed to the example of Australian soap Neighbours, which has resumed filming but with social distancing rules in place and other limitations, including banning kissing on set.

"We're not quite at that point yet," he said. "But all of those conversation are being had and there is a real determination to get that show back up and running."

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