EastEnders to air affair plot but characters cannot kiss due to social distancing

Two \'EastEnders\' characters are to embark on an affair - but won\'t be able to smooch each other due to social distancing rules.

While steamy scenes between the pair will not air, the show\'s bosses want to carry on with the "explosive" plot, and plan to mention some saucy moments rather than have them acted out.

A source said: "Scriptwriters have been working on an explosive affair storyline but now they\'ve got to work around social distancing.

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"Any sexy scenes between the characters have been binned."

The BBC One soap\'s producers are said to be determined the affair storyline can be shot "safely" while observing social distancing guidelines.

The source added to The Sun newspaper: "All the scripts which are being worked on currently have been tinkered with and are being re-worked.

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"The bosses are adamant the affair storyline can go ahead and be filmed safely.

"The welfare of the cast is the priority but they also want to keep the standard of EastEnders high - and that means some shocking storylines in the coming months."

A post on EastEnders\' Instagram account earlier this month confirmed the show will resume filming at the end of next month, but revealed the soap will have "strict social distancing measures in place".

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This comes after Lee Salisbury - a former \'Coronation Street\' director who has also worked on \'EastEnders\', \'Emmerdale\' and \'Hollyoaks\' - admitted soap writers will have to alter their romantic storylines when filming resumes.

He said: "People need soaps in their lives, so the sooner they can get back the better.

"But they won\'t be able to get back to normal yet - obviously a lot of soaps rely on that family community spirit, so it will be weird without the big pub scenes but I don\'t think you can film those yet.

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"And obviously there will be no kissing scenes which is bizarre. And everyone is going to be a stone heavier after lockdown!"