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Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has slammed the soap for its "ridiculous, far-fetched" storylines.
The actress played popular character Heather Trott from 2007 to 2012.
But Cheryl, 57, has now accused the soap of "normalising violence".
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The telly favourite also claimed the show needed to go back to basics to stop fans switching off in their millions.
Cheryl said: "I am not the morality police but I do think EastEnders has lost its way a little.
"I think people are craving for something more relatable and familiar rather than sensationalised.
"It has become a bit far-fetched. There are only so many killings and serial killers.
"I remember when Arthur Fowler nicked the Christmas fund was big news. Now it is all about how many people can be stabbed or shot in the Square."
“I don’t think that’s the right image for soaps to give. I think it is normalising violence to younger people. I also don’t think that’s what people want to watch anymore."
"It needs to go back to basics and focus on community. They did that in Covid a bit but then lost it.
"I know the soaps strive to educate people on sensitive storylines like HIV, which are great. But then they will also do ridiculous storylines for ratings and I think why did you do that?
"It is like giving with one hand and then taking with another."
It comes after last week Danny Dyer, who played Mick Carter for nine-years, said the show had "lost its way".
In its glory years EastEnders used to pull in over 20m viewers per episode. Now that figure has dropped as low as 2.5m.
Cheryl also criticised the soaps for employing too many new, young, unknown actors to save money because they were cheap.
She said: "There is a lot of age discrimination in soaps now. Producers can get five young actors for the price of an older one now.
"I think they need to look at quality as well as quantity and cost."
Cheryl is now eyeing up a role in ITV rival Coronation Street.
She said: “I would love to be in Corrie. I live up north now and have a great accent."
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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