We’ve witnessed Ronnie Mitchell develop into a cold-hearted killer. We’ve seen Janine Butcher get her comeuppance. And we’ve also welcomed the new Carter family, who have moved from Watford to Walford.

These latest shake-ups in Albert Square are all down to one man – Radlett resident Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the show’s new boss.

A self confessed diehard fan, Dominic says he has always felt a real affinity with EastEnders.

“I remember poring over the map of Albert Square when the first episode aired,” he told The Radio Times. “I grew up about ten minutes down the road from where EastEnders is filmed in Elstree, and I’d go along to the studio and stick my head through the gates.

“I’d never felt an affinity with Corrie – it’s a fantastic show, but it wasn’t my thing. I liked EastEnders because it felt dangerous, real and naughty, and also that it was saying something about life.

“Stalking is a heavy word, but I did once stalk Pam St Clement (who played Pat Butcher) around the Radlett branch of WH Smith. She and I have laughed about it since.”

Since slipping into his role in August last year, the executive producer has also recently revealed plans to drag EastEnders out of its 1980s-rut to reflect more closely the 21st Century reality of gentrified east London, taking into account the influence of trendy Shoreditch just down the road.

Plans are already afoot to rebuild and expand the exterior of the set, with the new Albert Square expected to be 20 per cent bigger, allowing the long-running soap to open up new locations to film in.

“We have ambitious plans for the show and the new exterior set will help bring those to life and better reflect the East End of London on screen for audiences,” says Dominic. “My idea is to make the show feel fresh, but also a bit nostalgic – there should be more secrets that will make the viewer gasp.”