EastEnders fans in US fuming as BBC soap episodes axed - despite being 13 years behind

EastEnders fans in the United States are fuming after the BBC soap axed episodes there – despite them being over a decade behind.

UK viewers are treated to new episodes of EastEnders multiple times a week, but in the United States, the episodes are only shown once a week, meaning US viewers are a whole 13 years behind viewers in the UK.

However, fans are in uproar after the BBC said it would “no longer be able” to hand over the later episodes soap, which are shown to viewers in the United States on channel PBS.

Viewers are devastated with one admitting it was “like losing contact with a dear friend or family member”.

Michael Gordon, who is leading the fight to keep it on air in the United States, told The Sun: “There are lots of people from all walks of life who love it and it isn’t fair to simply stop it like this. I don’t want to miss 13 years of my favourite programme.”

Fan Judith Hallett added: “It’s like losing contact with a dear friend or family member.”

It means viewers in the US will have never seen Mick Carter arrive on the soap, or the horrifying storyline surrounding evil serial killer Gray Atkins, who currently has trapped his wife Chelsea Fox after they tied the knot recently.

Currently, they are at the point where Peggy Mitchell – played by the late Barbara Windsor – is waiting to hear her fate as she bid for a place on the Walford council election campaign, scenes which aired in the UK over a decade ago.

The Mirror have reached out to a representative from EastEnders for comment.

If the fans can’t get the decision reversed, it means they will never see Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, arrive – or leave – the infamous Albert Square, after the Sunday Mirror exclusively revealed Danny would be leaving his role later this year.

Speaking about his exit recently, he admitted: “I am leaving EastEnders. I’m very lucky, I’m very grateful.

“When you’re in a job like a soap your contract comes up for renewal and every time it has they’ve asked me to stay, and I’m very grateful for that. Because I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. It’s very tough.”

He added: “I know some people will be jumping for joy at the idea of me leaving EastEnders, there will be others who are quite disappointed. Other people will wish me the best for the future.”

For now, fans in the US can watch current episodes of EastEnders on Britbox.