EastEnders will air four nights a week with shorter episodes

\'EastEnders\' will air 20 minute episodes four nights a week when the soap returns later this year.

The BBC soap is set to go off air next week after running out of new episodes filming before the coronavirus lockdown, but the cast and crew will resume filming at the end of the month.

Executive producer Jon Sen said: "Resuming production is incredibly exciting and challenging in equal measure.

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"Since we postponed filming, we\'ve been working non-stop trialling techniques, filming methods and new ways of working so that we can return to screens four times a week - as \'EastEnders\' should be.

"Filming will inevitably be a more complex process now, so creating 20 minute episodes will enable us to ensure that when we return, \'EastEnders\' will still be the show the audience know and love."

Due to BBC One not having adverts, the programme typically airs longer episodes than other soaps.

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The temporary measure will mean the eps will actually be in line with the likes of \'Coronation Street\', \'Emmerdale\' and \'Hollyoaks\' - which usually run for around 23 minutes, not including ad breaks.

Production went on hold back in March, and since then \'EastEnders\' has only been broadcast on Mondays and Tuesdays to remain on air as long as possible.

The update comes after confirmation that \'Hollyoaks\' will resume production this week, but won\'t return to five nights a week until 2021.

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A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "\'Hollyoaks\' will be resuming production this week in Liverpool ahead of a return to recording on set in July.

"The Channel 4 drama, which is shot differently to other soaps with single-camera, will increase in episodes from its current two nights a week to four nights a week from September, the current plan being to return to five episodes in 2021."