Soaring £87m cost of rebuilding the set of EastEnders slammed by MPs after it goes millions over budget

THE soaring cost of rebuilding the set of EastEnders has been slammed by MPs.

The BBC was accused of managing the project badly after it shot millions of pounds over budget.

BBC

The set changes are part of a scheme called E20, which will now cost licence fee payers £27million more than originally expected.

The project, now costing £87million, is expected to be complete in May 2023 — nearly five years later than first planned.

MPs heard the popular soap’s set, built in 1984, is “no longer fit for purpose”.

Landmarks such as Albert Square and the Queen Vic are being rebuilt but being made to appear old.

The Public Accounts Committee said it was disappointed by the BBC’s “complacency” in managing the project, particularly in its early stages.

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It accepted costs partly rose due to inflation in the building industry but said the BBC underestimated the scale and complexity of the project.

E20 also includes work at BBC Elstree Centre, Herts.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We strongly reject the notion that there has been any complacency in managing this project.”

PA:Press Association/PA Images