EE: Barbara Windsor on budget cutbacks

[faceless]

Barbara Windsor fears soaps are on a slippery slope as cuts bite
Marc Baker
17 May 2009
people.co.uk

Eastenders veteran Barbara Windsor is leading a chorus of concern among soap stars over financial cutbacks on their shows. Babs, 71 - honoured for her 14 years as pub landlady Peggy Mitchell at last weekend's British Soap Awards - claims that drastic budget reductions are harming the quality that pushed their series to the top. And big names from rivals Emmerdale and Hollyoaks admit they fear being axed in the squeeze. Some stars - not Babs - think the cuts could even lead to the END of a couple of soaps.

Barbara told The People: " It's been really worrying what's going on with all of the cutbacks." Babs says bosses have been forced to... CUT expensive arty sweeping camera shots across Albert Square. Cut emotional lingering scenes with just one or two actors - instead hurrying along the plot with everyone on camera. Cram filming of up to eight episodes into one speedy session.

Barbara said: "Once upon a time you would meet up with a character in the Square or you would be able to have a scene on your own. But those lovely days have gone. As a result of the changes that have been brought in, I think we are missing out on some of the things that made EastEnders so special. We are all working hard, making eight episodes at the same time and I do get tired. But we just have to consider ourselves lucky to be in work at the moment."

But EastEnders veteran Steve McFadden, 50 - hardman Phil Mitchell for 19 years - said bluntly: "It's always been a kitchen-sink drama and kitchen sinks don't cost much money do they? In the end you have to rely on good old-fashioned head-and-shoulder acting." An EastEnders spokeswoman said: "Every BBC programme has to make savings. But every effort is made to ensure EastEnders is still the same high quality."

[pirtybirdy]

quite frankly, I'd love to get paid what they get paid to do that work. I bust my ass every day as I'm sure lots of us regular Janes and Joes do. We don't get the pat on the back by others most times to say our work is appreciated like they get from the fans. Cry me a river. It almost seems to me she is saying "poor us, look what we go through in these tough times". Poppycock I say! I know the article is deeper than that and also talks of the fact that soaps are getting the chop and putting out poor quality stuff. I just don't care for the whining part about the filming of eight episodes in one session. Just get on with it. Oh, Pirtybird is havin' one of those days, never mind my rambling...lol!

[SpursFan1902]

She never mentioned any cutbacks in her salary, only in the way that the BBC was shooting the show. I think the cutbacks are in the production, not the actor's salaries...and imho, at 71, she can get tired!!

[pirtybirdy]

nah, just where she is moaning how "we are all working hard, making eight episodes at a time". Aren't we all. I know she's old too, but she's also in a position where she doesn't have to work. I have to work, and I work hard at crap work and don't get recognition for the hard work. I also never said anything about them having cutbacks in their salaries, just that they get paid an awful lot of money to do what they do, and in my opinion, they don't work any freakin' harder than I do. So, her moaning about 8 episodes in 1 session, boo hoo to that. Perhaps it's time for Janine to stroll into the vic one day and pop Peggy in the noggin' with the Queen Vic bust to save us all from her moaning on and off the set....