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'EastEnders' to use CGI in 'almost every shot' for social distancing filming

EastEnders star Jake Wood has said that the soap is using some CGI trickery in "almost every shot", as the programme works around actors having to social distance

The long-running BBC show returned to filming this week after three months off due to the coronavirus and the Max Branning star appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday to discuss the comeback.

He said: "It’s going to take a bit of getting used to, everyone is two metres apart. It’s quite extraordinary. We’ve seen some of the ways things are shot and you are not going to notice the difference.

Read more: Dot Cotton star June Brown can no longer watch EastEnders

"I'm not allowed to give away much but... almost every shot has got CGI in it."

Jake Wood, right, has opened up about returning to film on EastEnders. (BBC)
Jake Wood, right, has opened up about returning to film on EastEnders. (BBC)

Wood, whose character is well known womaniser, also addressed how the programme will navigate intimate scenes.

"They’re looking at ways to film it so people can appear to be kissing. Like anything at the moment it’s going to be a challenge ... I don't know how they'll make it work, but they will," he explained.

When EastEnders does return at an as-of-yet unspecified date, episodes will be 20 minutes long as opposed to the usual half an hour.

The 'EastEnders' cast and crew are having to adapt to a new way of filming. (BBC)
The 'EastEnders' cast and crew are having to adapt to a new way of filming. (BBC)

On Monday, the programme announced a new addition to Albert Square as a mural of a black woman painted on the side of the Beales' house will now remain a permanent part of the set.

The soap is currently off air while the new episodes are being made and the time slot it usually occupies on a Monday has been filled with cast interviews in a behind-the-scenes look at the soap helmed by Stacey Dooley.

While on Tuesday nights, fans can take a look back at some of the soap's best-known storylines as the BBC airs classic episodes, including "Sharongate" which is set to air this week.