EastEnders: 40 Years on the Square

A soap getting to 40 years is no small thing, especially in the current landscape here in the UK where 'Doctors' has gone and both ITV soaps are cutting back on their weekly episodes. Even our favourite soap import in the form of 'Neighbours' looks doomed.

It's a curious thing then (or indeed tactical) that 'EastEnders' chooses to make this sort of documentary to celebrate its 40th anniversary rather than something a little more glossy/entertaining.

Ross Kemp fronts this programme that focuses more on the cultural impact that the show has had over the length of its run and how it has reflected the changes in society.

This is all well-intentioned and good enough stuff, but it does feel more like a justification of its existence going forward to the bigwigs at the BBC than a 'thank you' to the fans who have stuck with it through some of the leaner periods of its run.