EastEnders fans left confused by Kathy’s audio in technical blunder

In March, filming for EastEnders was halted because of the UK’s coronavirus lockdown.

And the COVID-19 pandemic has appeared to have taken a toll on the technical quality of the BBC series as fans pointed out an audio blunder during Tuesday’s episode.

While Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) prepared food for Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and her family, her voice sounded like it was recorded outside of frame as she said: ‘Come on, this breakfast is important!’

Viewers claimed producers dubbed her speech, with one joking: ‘Did anyone else notice the awful dub in tonight’s #eastenders. Presumably done via Zoom!’

‘did #EastEnders just do some WFH audio…come on this breakfast is important @bbceastenders’, another agreed.

Others added: ‘wtf was that bit where kathy was walking out the kitchen and had a robot dub over her line #eastenders.

‘What was the whole point of the dubbed line about an important breakfast ?! Omg #Eastenders

‘Turns out the Important Breakfast from the very bad dubbing scene was not really that important (Rule Of TV: Important meals go uneaten) #EastEnders

‘What was the point of that Kathy dub about breakfast #EastEnders… Felt like Kathy hacked into my devices when this came on to tell me breakfast is important Face with tears of joy #EastEnders

‘Literally phoning it in! Surely it would have been better to just not include the line?? 

‘Did anyone notice when #Kathy said “Come on this breakfast is important” it sounded like a recording to me @bbceastenders #EastEnders’. [sic]

MailOnline has contacted BBC representatives for further comment.  

The mishap came after bosses confirmed the series is set to resume filming by the end of June. 

Charlotte Moore, the broadcaster’s director of content, said the BBC One soap would be up and running again within weeks, along with Top Gear.

Her statement came after production was halted on the show due to the coronavirus pandemic and a day after MailOnline confirmed ITV’s Coronation Street is in the final stages of a ‘return-to-production protocol’.

The TV executive told The Telegraph: ‘We’ve been looking carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I’m pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of June.

‘We’re also exploring ways to restart shooting on dramas and other major BBC shows.

Of course, we will work within Government guidelines. Crews will be strictly limited. Cast members will do their own hair and make-up. Social distancing will be in place.’