slimref
11th October 2002, 21:03
From thesun.co.uk....
AILING soap Brookside was doomed last night after it was axed from its prime-time slot.
The Channel 4 show — famed at its peak for gritty storylines including murder, lesbianism, drug addiction and rape — once pulled nearly nine million viewers.
But this year the average has been a paltry 1.6MILLION.
The Scouse soap — a launching pad to fame for stars including Ricky Tomlinson and Anna Friel — is currently shown mid-evening three times a week.
But it has been condemned as tired and over-sensational.
And in late November, just after its 20th anniversary, it will be dumped in a single 90-minute “graveyard” slot on Saturday afternoon.
It is unlikely to be recommissioned when the current contracts expire next year.
And a Channel 4 source said: “This effectively means Brookside has been axed.”
The soap’s cast was said to be devastated last night after being told of the chop.
And backroom staff at the Liverpool cul-de-sac where Brookie is filmed were in tears.
But the source said: “It should come as no surprise. The show has been looking very tired for some time and ratings have dipped dramatically.”
AILING soap Brookside was doomed last night after it was axed from its prime-time slot.
The Channel 4 show — famed at its peak for gritty storylines including murder, lesbianism, drug addiction and rape — once pulled nearly nine million viewers.
But this year the average has been a paltry 1.6MILLION.
The Scouse soap — a launching pad to fame for stars including Ricky Tomlinson and Anna Friel — is currently shown mid-evening three times a week.
But it has been condemned as tired and over-sensational.
And in late November, just after its 20th anniversary, it will be dumped in a single 90-minute “graveyard” slot on Saturday afternoon.
It is unlikely to be recommissioned when the current contracts expire next year.
And a Channel 4 source said: “This effectively means Brookside has been axed.”
The soap’s cast was said to be devastated last night after being told of the chop.
And backroom staff at the Liverpool cul-de-sac where Brookie is filmed were in tears.
But the source said: “It should come as no surprise. The show has been looking very tired for some time and ratings have dipped dramatically.”