'Only Way Is Essex' could kill off drama says Jimmy McGovern

Jimmy McGovern has suggested that The Only Way Is Essex could end up killing off a number of drama series.



The Accused scribe made the comments during the Royal Television Society Anthony Wilson memorial lecture, The Sun reports.

Describing The Only Way Is Essex as "the biggest suicide note in British TV history", McGovern claimed that young viewers may begin to switch off from drama.

"TOWIE to me seems to be just as good as Hollyoaks and very much cheaper to make," he said. "Therefore Hollyoaks is finished - I think that's the way it's going to go."

McGovern added: "If TOWIE is comparable to a fair bit of TV drama, is that because it's as good or is it that a lot of TV drama is as bad as TOWIE?"

The Only Way Is Essex controversially won the YouTube Audience Award at this year's BAFTAs, beating dramas such as Downton Abbey, Sherlock and The Killing.

McGovern has previously caused a stir by describing US dramas as "over-rated" and claiming that British series don't take themselves seriously enough.