Shaun Williamson says EastEnders is fighting for survival and will need to turn into a boxset

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EastEnders icon Shaun Williamson has a stark warning to TV bosses, saying soaps must adapt and become like box sets or face a bleak future.

The actor believes an entire week’s episodes will have to be made available at once in the years ahead.

He feels the instant service provided by streaming services like Netflix and Amazon means viewers' demands have totally changed.

Shaun, 55, has been speaking to The Mirror about what lies ahead for our favourite shows.

With many now so used to binge-watching a series, he says EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale in particular must wake up to the modern world we're living in.

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He insists they can't afford to stand still and said: “They’ve got to be careful.

“Now, you can download The Crown and watch one series in a day. You’ve got Netflix doing these incredible things so there’s so much more competition."

He was then asked if EastEnders should look at doing the same, and said: “I think that’s inevitable. I think the BBC will change because everything is changing.

"EastEnders has lost it’s specialness and Corrie is on five times a week."


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Shaun's character perished when Janine Butcher pushed him off a cliff 17 years ago.

The 2004 shove remains one of EastEnders' most famous endings ever, watched by over 15million.

But according to The Sun, he is eyeing-up a stint on rival soap Emmerdale.

Shaun is about to appear on MTV's Celebs On The Farm alongside Duncan James, Montana Brown and Holly Hagan.

He said: "I've really got a soft spot for Emmerdale, I'd love to go up there.

"Occasionally they have a Cockney character through for a few months, so I'd love to be in Emmerdale.

"And after my experience on a farm doing this show I reckon I could go in and give their farmers a run for their money!"

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