Many eyes are on EastEnders at the moment, during what is an ever changing and turbulent time for both the show and the soap genre as a whole.

Amid fluctuating ratings, the axings of Neighbours and Holby CIty and an increasing dalliance with online and streaming viewings, soaps are under the microscope.

None more so arguably than EastEnders, which has had a tumultuous number of years of falling viewing figures and media and fan criticism.

EastEnders remains top of its game in terms of its online demographic, with a very strong position in the BBC’s streaming output.

To that effect, BBC director Charlotte Moore pledged the channel’s enduring dedication to the programme, albeit with some potential changes in strategy down the line.

However, quality of storylines and episodes remained quite a divisive topic; leaving new producer Chris Clenshaw, a former key storyliner for the soap, with a task on his hands.

This triggered an explosive summer, a season which traditionally sees soaps quieten down as they hold onto their aces until the longer nights draw in.

A number of cast change announcements, from major characters being written out to some notable newcomers and returns, has got viewers talking again.

As always, opinions differ but there seems to be no denying that there is a buzz around the show again, both for viewers and also on set.

Metro.co.uk was invited to the recent launch of the show’s autumn, which looks to build on the promising summer – but more than his major storylines and his new and former cast arrivals, Chris made it clear to us that his priority is both restoring and maintaining the show’s beating heart and values.

His words will likely be music to the ears of many viewers, particularly those more long term fans who have struggled for a number of years with the show.

‘What I’m really keen on is adhering to the DNA of the show, and keeping the core values at the heart of the show which is obviously family, it’s about friendship, it’s about love,’ he explained.

‘A positive show with larger than life characters, with an important message to tell and I suppose ultimately my vision is to make sure we’ve got the soul in EastEnders. The Eastenders spirit, the working class spirit and that it’s got a lot of heart.’

He has hit the ground running, bringing back Alfie Moon and Ricky Butcher, introducing a number of characters including Felix and Finlay Baker, Ravi Gulati and Nish Panesar, and writing out others such as Stuart and Rainie Highway, Lola Pearce and Peter Beale in big storylines.

A much anticipated flashback episode involving the Mitchell family, prompted by the ongoing Phil Mitchell saga, has won acclaim for its ingenuity and potential for tapping into the rich history of the show.

And he is also planning, alongside his team, a fitting tribute to June Brown and Dot Cotton, one of TV’s most legendary characters of all time.

Given that his first credited episode was one which featured Prince Charles and Camilla, he hasn’t had much time to rest.

Which means he was quite thoughtful when asked if he is enjoying his new role on the show.

‘It’s a rollercoaster, a lot of people are asking me if I’m enjoying it and I always pause before I answer that because you don’t really have time to enjoy it but what I’ve realised is that actually I’m enjoying every second of it,’ he smiled.

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‘I worked here before, worked my way up the story office, left as story producer so there’s a lot of people here that I know, and I know it sounds like a cliche but it’s like coming home to a really lovely family who care so much about this show – so I feel very lucky that I’ve got a brilliant team around me.’

The feelings are mutual, with a number of cast and crew members praising behind-the-scenes changes which have led to a more collaborative way of working amid all departments.

And the passion Chris speaks of has to come from the top; which he exuded when teasing what he has in the bag for the coming months.

‘Family is going to be at the centre of the show,’ he declared, listing The Mitchells, Panesars, Fox-Hubbards, Carters and Slaters among examples.

Other storylines include a huge culmination in Janine and Mick’s story, DI Keeble’s secret motive against the Mitchells being exposed, Kat and Phil’s dramatic wedding and the arrival of sinister arrival of Suki’s killer husband Nish.

‘Phil has his battle with Keeble, and what we will soon learn is the reason she has this real personal vendetta against the family as we find out more about the clan before they hop-footed across east London to Walford,’ he teased.

‘That’s not Phil’s only problem as he has his nuptials to Kat coming up, and as it’s Walford, it’s a wedding and things don’t always go without a hitch, and step forward Shane Richie who is back to reprise his role as the loveable Alfie Moon.

‘It was inevitable, Phil and Kat are together – yet Alfie is the love of Kat’s life, so we had to bring him back. And the right moment to bring him back was on the wedding day. He’s the old Alfie, a loveable rogue who makes a lot of mistakes but he always has good intention.

‘We have the much talked about, long-awaited Nish Panesar arriving, the patriarch of the Panesar family who has been in prison for a 20-stretch, played by the brilliant Navin Chowdhry.

‘Sam has been on screen for some time now and is causing a lot of trouble and has an agenda. She is a different Sam and she is ruthless and we do explore more about why that is when we meet someone from her past in Spain this autumn as well.

‘We have Sid Owen reprising his role as the unforgettable Ricky Butcher. Ricky is coming home and his sister Janine is in a relationship with Mick and we’re building to something really climatic between them.

‘Janine has got her everything finally in Mick and the Vic, but we all know how strong the bond is between Mick and Linda and what they have runs very deep.

‘But we know what Janine is like and what she is capable of and the paranoia sets in. I won’t give away how Ricky comes back but it plays into the Janine story.

‘We’re going to say a very sad farewell to one of the most iconic characters to have graced our screen, not just on EastEnders, but on British television.

‘It’s not a story that any of us wanted to think of or do, but under the circumstances we’ve been working on a story where we will say a final farewell to Dot.

‘We lost June earlier this year and what it will be is a fitting tribute to both June and Dot. We are working on it as we speak and it will be exactly what June deserves and I think what the audience deserves.’

Chris also spoke of the ambitious flashback episode headed up by Jaime Winstone as Peggy Mitchell.

‘This flashback it just seemed like such an opportunity where you get to see Peggy and Phil, and Grant and Archie and Glenda, and Ronnie and Roxy, and Sam, before we ever knew them and understand why they became the characters we know and love,’ he enthused.

‘And also understand and discover more about a character that we’ve never explored on the show which is Eric, who has always been so vividly drawn, we know so much about him although we’ve never had a chance to really get under his skin.

‘It just felt like too good an opportunity, however a massive responsibility because they are characters that are so loved and well drawn. We had the story there and that was crucial it fit within the serial narrative although it’s a stand alone piece as well.

‘You can come to that episode and you won’t necessarily know what’s been going on for the last six months with Phil’s story, I think it’s pretty clear from the top. There’s a lot of treats in it.’

Indeed, so excited are the team with the idea, Chris isn’t ruling out further projects, or even more of the same.

‘I’m really exited for everyone to see this, we’re all very proud and excited about it,’ he told us.

‘This is a world of such rich characters that I think it’s definitely possible to make more of it but then at the same time I’d also love to be transported back to 1950s Trinidad and see a young Patrick Truman and I’m sure we’d enjoy shooting that one as well!’

Sounds like our kind of press trip! Absolutely for work and review purposes only.

Of course, no soap fan wants to know everything, and it’s evident that cards are still being kept tight to the chest in terms of other major developments, stories and twists.

With a sizzling summer whetting appetites, autumn is panned out in an exciting fashion before the show now starts steamrolling to arguably its most important section of the year at Christmas.

It’s a very exciting time to be a fan of EastEnders…

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