Albert Square set for Windy City treatment

Albert Square could be re-locating to Chicago it emerged today, as plans are made for a US version of EastEnders’.

Six scripts for an Americanised version of the popular programme have been ordered by TV producers, keen to cash in on a recent boom in the popularity of soaps.

The project will be led by Simon Fuller, creator of the Spice Girls, S-Club 7 and Pop Idol, according to the LA-based Hollywood Reporter newspaper.

EastEnders’ head writer and story consultant Tony Jordan is also reportedly on board.

The show, which would be shown on US television network Fox, would feature families in a working class district of Chicago.

But moving Walford to Chicago is far from guaranteed success.

The original EastEnders’ was pulled from the BBC America cable channel in the US last year.

A spokesman said at the time that the programme “continued to under-perform compared with the rest of our schedule”.

The US version of Coupling, also set in Chicago with an American cast and a script nearly identical to the British original – lost its prime-time spot on NBC after disappointing ratings.

Hollywood trade paper, Variety, said of the show: “The cast has no likeable characters, motivation for every act is sexual, and the theme of moronic men versus wily women has been played out.”

It was a disappointing result for a show which producers hoped would be a replacement for Friends, which came to an end as Coupling began in the US.

But other British entertainment has impressed US audiences.

The Office, starring Ricky Gervais, became a cult classic, and Da Ali G Show has won good reviews after being shown on the HBO channel.