EastEnders has stopped being broadcast after 6,122 episodes

There are no new outings to air until lockdown is lifted

EastEnders has come off the air for the first time in its 35-year history.

The BBC soap has officially run out of episodes due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will not return until later this year (more details here).

Episodes have been airing at a reduced rate since lockdown measures were announced by the government and, by rationing the backlog, the soap has been buying itself time.

However, the soap has now used up all of its completed episodes meaning it will stop being broadcast after 6,122 episodes.

With lockdown guidelines slowly being lifted, production is expected to start up again later this month, but when the show does return, episodes will run for 10 minutes shorter than usual.

Until then, the BBC will broadcast a show celebrating its history titled Secrets from the Square.

The specials will see Stacey Dooley interview two cast members each Monday, including Letitia Dean, Tameka Empson and Adam Woodyatt to discuss their time on the soap.

The programme, due to begin on 22 June, will also offer previews of planned storylines and plot developments as well as behind-the-scenes secrets.