EMMERDALE bosses were ‘read the riot act’ as the ITV soap’s future hung by a thread.
The show celebrates its 50th anniversary today, having first aired on October 16, 1972.
Emmerdale bosses were ‘read the riot act’ as the ITV soap’s future hung by a thread
Cast members recalled the moment in 1993 during a 50th anniversary special
However, it almost didn’t make it to its latest milestone after network executives came down hard on soap bosses in a bid to boost flagging ratings back in 1993.
Emmerdale subsequently underwent a massive overhaul that year when it featured the iconic plane crash storyline.
It not only killed off four main characters, but allowed for the writers to reinvent the soap to compete with rivals like EastEnders.
During the special Emmerdale: 50 Unforgettable Years, Eric Pollard actor Chris Chittell recalled: “The powers that be read the riot act out to our bosses and said ‘You’re going to have to do something to boost the viewing figures.”
Claire Fox, who plays Kim Tate, added: “There was talk of it being pulled.”
Keith Richardson, who was an Executive Producer at the time, said: “What we wanted to do was reposition Emmerdale in the audiences mind.”
Brookside and Hollyoaks creator Sir Phil Redmond was brought in, and he came up with the iconic storyline.
He said: “The only thing I was asked to do was save the show and that’s why it was fantastic, as I had a complete blank cheque.”
The rest – as they say – is history, with Emmerdale going on to win a slew of awards for its storylines, most recently the National Television Award for Serial Drama.
Fans were loving the trip down memory lane, with one writing on Twitter: “50 unforgettable years Iconic faces Magical to see all these fantastic memories of the past. #emmerdale.”
Another added: “Loving all theses unforgettable scenes #Emmerdale50.”
A third tweeted: “Watching #Emmerdale 50 Greatest Moments with a chippy tea! Bliss! #Emmerdale50.”
Former Executive Producer Keith Richardson said bosses want to reposition the show in audiences’ minds
