Ex-BBC 1 controller reveals behind-the-scenes programming secrets

Ofcom Chairman Lord Michael Grade revealed to Boom Radio on Sunday that EastEnders almost become a 'geriatric caravan park in the Northeast'. 

He participated in an interview with Jo Brand on her new radio show series named Open The Box. 

The former controller of BBC One and ex-chief executive of Channel 4, 81, revealed some behind-the-scenes programming secrets - in particular facts about Eastenders. 

During his time on BBC One, he was in charge of running the schedule and commissioning the programmes and explained how 'one of the first decisions I had to make, they had decided they were going to do a soap opera on BBC One.'

'There was one in development when I arrived, and I asked to see the head of the drama series, Jonathan Powell, to tell me about this alleged soap opera. He said: "I've only just taken over and the show I've inherited is set in a geriatric caravan park in the Northeast." My face fell.

'I said,"Really? Where is that now?" He said: "I've binned that." And he said: "We've got a show called EastEnders, based on a square in the East End of London." 

Lord Michael Grade continued that he chose to then leave the work to the writers and producers. However, he wanted them to send him the first episode once it was complete. 

'I said, "That sounds a bit better than a geriatric caravan park." He told me who was in charge, Julius Smith and Tony Holland, the writer. I said, "I'll leave it to you...send me the first episode."

He then proceeded to reveal he had his trepidations when it came to watching the first episode in 1985 as he feared that the show could turn out to be 'horrible'. 

He said: 'I remember with some considerable trepidation putting the cassette in the machine and thinking: "Oh my God, you know, this is a year's commitment. This could be horrible." 

However, he concluded that once the opening titles played he knew that everything was going to work out perfectly. 

'As the music and the opening titles played, I knew it was okay. You always know from the opening titles and the music If the producers and the director really know what they're doing. 

 He admitted 'I knew immediately this was going to be alright.' 

During the interview, Jo Brand also asked the former BBC One controller why the television channel essentially needed the programme. 

To which he responded with 'ITV had Coronation Street, which was through the roof every night, and Emmerdale Farm, and Crossroads. And the BBC felt the schedule absolutely needed it. And they were right. 

'They were lucky to have Jonathan Powell to pick it and choose Julia and Tony Holland to write it.' 

He also admitted that Coronation Street have now taken inspiration from Eastenders and followed suit in terms of their tragic storylines after the success of the soap. 

'People don't realise this now — but Coronation Street was very gentle and fluffy, and lovely and warm, and nothing horrible ever happened in Coronation Street. It does now, but that's a response to what we did on EastEnders.

'It became much more socially conscious, dealing with social issues and real hard pain in families and so on and so on. And Coronation Street eventually followed suit.' 

Grade lastly touched on how the soap made you feel as if you were a part of 'another world for half an hour'. 

He admitted his love for the soap by saying 'The great thing about a soap opera is you go into another world for half an hour. 

'And EastEnders, Coronation Street is brilliant at that - the Rovers Return; you're going into somebody else's world and you're there for half an hour and you feel part of the neighbourhood.

He concluded 'It was the same with EastEnders, there was a sense of community, a sense of place.' 

Tune in to Jo Brand’s interview with Lord Michael Grade on Boom Radio on Sunday 21 April at 9pm.