EastEnders icon Cheryl Fergison has criticised the direction of travel of the soap, describing it as "a bit far-fetched".
The 57-year-old played the part of fan-favourite Heather Trott from 2007 to 2012, when the character was murdered by Ben Mitchell with a photo frame.
In recent years the soap has slumped to its lowest ratings in history, and Fergison believes that numerous plots involving guns and stabbings are partly to blame.
"I am not the morality police but I do think EastEnders has lost its way a little," she told the Daily Star.
"I think people are craving for something more relatable and familiar rather than sensationalised.
"It has become a bit far-fetched. There are only so many killings and serial killers.
"I remember when Arthur Fowler nicked the Christmas fund was big news. Now it is all about how many people can be stabbed or shot in the Square.
"I don't think that's the right image for soaps to give. I think it is normalising violence to younger people. I also don't think that's what people want to watch any more."
She continued: "It needs to go back to basics and focus on community. They did that in Covid a bit but then lost it.
"I know the soaps strive to educate people on sensitive storylines like HIV, which are great. But then they will also do ridiculous storylines for ratings and I think why did you do that? It is like giving with one hand and then taking with another."
EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays on BBC One and iPlayer.
Neil Wilkes
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