Former EastEnders favourite Derek Martin has again hit out at the soap for being too miserable and losing its way.
The veteran actor, 88, starred as Charlie Slater on the soap for 15 years before his character's death five years ago.
He's criticised the show for losing its focus and says the long-running series needs to stop trying to focus on bringing in younger viewers and cater for its audience at hand.
Fans of the London-based show have shared concerns about the future of the soap in recent days after it was announced that ITV's rival soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale are set to move time slots in March.
But Derek believes that to have any chance of remaining successful, EastEnders must refocus on key families such as the Slaters, Fowlers and Mitchells.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: "You've got to have humour, especially in the depths of Covid, because there's always something to laugh about in life.
"You used to have Charlie, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Jim Branning (John Bardon) sitting at the allotments with a few beers, just talking about silly things. That's what happens in real life. You need that on EastEnders.
"EastEnders has been losing viewers for years and it's sad."
Derek was part of the Slater family which also starred popular characters such as Little Mo, Big Mo and Zoe Slater.
Only Kat ( Jessie Wallace ) and Stacey (Lacey Turner) remain from the family on the show and Derek feels as thought the BBC production has lost a key part of its identity.
He continued: " Coronation Street still has strong families but EastEnders seems to have lost that. I’ve nothing against youngsters. They’re the future.
"But it’s like the BBC is trying to turn EastEnders into Hollyoaks with so many youngsters, and everyone’s having affairs and beating people up."
His opinion that the show was losing its focus was echoed by the former script editor of the show and BBC head of continuing drama Oliver Kent.
He said: "In trying to reach that mythical audience of 16 to 25-year-olds, EastEnders has tried to be too sensational and lost sight of who is actually watching it and why."
Tuesday's episode of the show did make viewers emotional with a "return" of Dame Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell.
Sharon Watts was trying to knock some sense into Phil Mitchell after he was offered a deal by the police.
As he sat in the middle of the Square contemplating what decision to make, he looked up at the Queen Vic pub as he heard his mother's voice.
"Phil, you gotta get out there and defend what's yours," Peggy was heard saying, in a soundbite that was taken from an old episode.
