The incredibly popular soap was once in danger of being axed (Picture: ITV)
Emmerdale star Chris Chittell has revealed that show bosses were ‘read the riot act’ and told the show could be in danger of the axe.
The ITV soap, which celebrates a whopping 50 years on air this week, faced stiff competition from its rivals in 1993, and suffered from lower ratings.
Network bosses were keen to boost the viewership, telling the higher-ups of the serial drama that they were facing the axe if they failed to get the numbers up.
Chris, who portrays Eric Pollard, revealed: ‘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.”
Kim Tate star Claire King added during Emmerdale’s 50 Unforgettable Years TV special: ‘There was talk of [the show] being pulled.’
Keith Richardson, a former Executive Producer, said: ‘What we wanted to do was reposition Emmerdale in the audiences mind.’
Brookside legend Phil Redmond was brought on as producer in a bid to save Emmerdale, and he devised the plane crash storyline, which would ultimately do the trick, garnering Emmerdale its highest ratings ever.
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‘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,’ said Phil.
Incredible.
Emmerdale kicked off its highly-anticipated 50th anniversary week on Sunday, with the eponymous village struck by a deadly storm.
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The lives of Kim Tate and Harriet Finch hang in the balance after a quad bike blew up, but will the two fan-favourites make it out of the milestone week alive?
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV.
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The ITV soap was in major danger of being axed.
