Stacey Dooley to host EastEnders series as BBC confirm show will go off air

Stacey Dooley will host \'EastEnders: Secrets From The Square\', as the soap goes on a short hiatus.

The BBC One show will take "an inevitable break due to filming being postponed" amid the coronavirus pandemic, and the new programme - which will launch on June 22 - will give viewers an insight into Albert Square like never before.

Stacey will take over Ian Beale\'s Walford East restaurant each week with two different cast members reflecting on their time on the show, teasing what\'s to come, and there will be a sneak peak behind the scenes.

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She said: "I\'m delighted to be hosting \'Secrets From The Square\'.

"I grew up watching \'EastEnders\', so walking onto Albert Square was a surreal experience as well as taking a trip down memory lane and interviewing some of the legends of Walford has been great. I\'ve loved every minute of it!"

Meanwhile, the BBC is to air a selection of iconic episodes on Tuesday nights to let viewers "reminisce and relive some of the unforgettable moments from the past".

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Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment, said: "\'EastEnders\' has been at the heart of BBC One since its inception 35 years ago.

"While going off air was never in their plan, we and the \'EastEnders\' team knew straight away that this would be the perfect opportunity to celebrate the show, look back on cherished memories of all those momentous episodes whilst taking a look around Albert Square.

"And they may just give us some teasers as to what\'s to come when they return."

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The soap\'s executive producer Jon Sen added: "Although the drama from Albert Square will be off our screens for a short time, we are thrilled that fans will have a unique opportunity to see from the cast themselves just what it is like to be part of \'EastEnders\' when they see \'Secrets From The Square\'.

"As the cast look back - as well as forward - we can relive some of their most memorable moments and to add a selection of iconic episodes into the mix means viewers will be able to get their regular Walford fix until the drama returns."

The \'EastEnders\' cast will resume filming later this month.