It needs a complete clearout like SOC is doing with EE. Then sart afresh.

If you keep all these deadwood in the show trying to find storylines for them, it just creates a sea of dull drama with dull characters.

If I was producer, my first task would be to determine which characters have life left, and which need to be removed ASAP! Those characters exit storyline would collide in a big event (like the Tram Crash).

Maing it an XF clone would be bad for TVUK and bad for XF. ITV didnt launch a new channel and then try to make it just like ITV. You differentiate to widen the net.

It's Peter Kay Night on Channel 5 this Sunday.

Following in BBC One's footsteps by showing programming using clips previously shown on Channel 4.

Shame that HIM hasn't done that great, as it was a bit different than usual.

And people seem to be banging on about The X Factor again. I thought midweek was safe.

You are constantly saying that stuff should be cleared out, whether that's programmes axed, bemoaning mid raters being recomissioned or saying soap characters should be axed.

But do you not see how it is so hard to get something new off the ground. We see examples of this practically every day. New shows that people don't even notice, people gravitate towards the older tired shows, and in the case of soaps, new families are notoriously hard to get right. How many families have occupied the houses next to the Platts and have failed to gain traction. The Harris's, Sinbad's family, the Nasirs to some degree, the doctor who had an affair with Maxine and his wife, Plus of course there is the negative press of axing characters as some viewers will like them and it'll all add up.

You obviously are a risk taker, but I can't recall any big risks that have paid off on ITV. Dancing on Ice, GMTV, News at Ten, the list goes on. If I was in charge id be risk adverse. Probably like Peter Fincham

I'm not quite sure how as, apart from the New Year Special, it hasn't actually been on screen for over two years!

I'm simply boycotting C4 altogether after they cancelled 'Raised By Wolves' and pulled this ridiculous stunt with Bake-Off in the same year (not a coincidence I still believe). May they be infested with the fleas of a thousand camels!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Have you ever worked in a large organisation where people (at the top) want to change the org? It's so slow because it isn't just this new producer Oates but all the other people in the background - the writer's, the other producers and the actor's themselves. Contracts are involved, which i'm sure have clauses and again, it takes time.

Hopefully changes will be implemented and one day or week next year at some point, the changes will be seen and felt by the viewers.

I don't watch soaps myself, but I have been in jobs where management tried to change. It is almost impossible to do without support and time and getting people "on your side" or hiring people who share your vision. & you are still left with the people who still do it the old way!!

Think about it logically, it's all well and good saying you'd do X asap but what if you can't, ever or not yet or it costs money to buy them out of their contract?

If it's not replacing X-Factor I don't think anybody can.

You don't need to announce actors exits. I think in Corrie's case, to create a talking point, create some surpise exits.

I'm not that much of a risk taker, but in Corrie's case, if you don't take risks, you'll likely keep trundling on with the same forumla - that clearly isn't working and loosing viewers in the process.

Can you honestly say Corrie doesn't ned a big shake up?

EE is axing characters left right and centre, I don't see much negative press.

With ITV, they can't afford to play safe 24/7 just because something might flop. Look at Downton Abbey - that was a risk spending millions on a drama when they were short of cash. Look at The Durrells. A new 8pm drama, where BBC is traditionally strong, and where ITV hadn't shown drama for a while (bar the 2hr dramas). But it was a hit.

As you say Peter Fincham didn't take many risks - though in his early years he did, he brought ITV back to a stronger position, but then latr into his tenure continued to bring back declining shows and with each return had diminishing ratings.

Obviously these risks are risks, and it can take time to get things off the ground - but if you don't try you won't succeed. You'll just be stuck with declining shows.

This new Chat show will be a big risk for ITV, but one they should be trying out. I'd rather this that continue with Jonathan Ross every year when his ratings have mostly be under 2m.

Obviously these risks need to be balenced out by safe decisions.

Because it could get 5-6m viewers for weeks and it deprives the BBC of that show. BGT and Takeaway and other shows all should benefit from no more clashes.
It should no longer scar XF if there is clear separation. It might even help other shows be successful.

EE is terrible at the moment, so let's not give weakminded executives any ideas...

EastEnders has axed several characters but not replaced them with any new ones and there are others which are still there long past their best. Worst of all nothing is happening of any interest I've stopped watching it again as it's so dull.

EastEnders is completely fine. It feels refreshed and natural. Corrie seems stale for me and none of the storylines are interesting. Toyah's return sounds good but EastEnders has really improved the feel of the show by writing and back to basics approach not silly unbelievable stunts like Corrie.

The Apprentice: 5.75m (27.3%)

The last producer totally messed EastEnders up. I actually turned off for a while when they decided to retcon all of Sharon and Den's history to suit the panto character Paul Nicholas was playing. I was still reeling from the stupid notion Kat somehow gave birth to a son she never knew about. The damage in this show is deep. It needed a quiet time to get its mojo back.

I wish the new guy would axe Danny Dyer too. I think the Carter's just don't have that X Factor to be front of house. Mick is a really weak character and its evident when you see the likes of Martin in his scenes. Mick is so one dimensional in comparison. The show really needs new exciting characters and fast.

The Fall: 2.05m (9.7%)

Series High for The Apprentice. Great Series so far.

Autumnwatch: 2.35m (11.8%)

Strong rating for it, up on the 5.59m for episode 4 last year! Should consolidate to 7.5m.

Very good for The Apprentice. Wonder if having the Bake Off special on before it helped?

Celebrity Juice: Halloween Special: 1.04m (6.7%) excluding +1

Hunted: 1.02m (4.8%) excluding +1

It's incredibly dull, but looking at the soap forum some viewers are enjoying the focus on mundane everyday stories instead of sensational plots. Others believe it's just a temporary thing whilst they build up to new storylines, but that excuse was used throughout the Lorraine Newman era.

Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs: 3.10m excluding HD / excluding +1
Last week: 3.51m exc. HD/exc. +1

Great British Menu: 1.78m (9.4%)