EastEnders' 40th anniversary is almost here and the show's gearing up to celebrate its big birthday in style.
It has been four decades since the first episode of EastEnders arrived on our screens which saw 13 million viewers tune in to see Arthur Fowler, Ali Osman and Den Watts force their way into Reg Cox's flat and find him near death.
The soap started with a bang and the plot twists have just kept on coming over the last 40 years. But what does EastEnders' Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw have up his sleeve for the anniversary week? "Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever,” he teased.
Here's everything you need to know about EastEnders' 40th anniversary celebrations...
EastEnders 40th Anniversary date
EastEnders turns 40 on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
However, we won't have just one episode celebrating the show's milestone - instead, we will have a whole week of special twists and turns.
Monday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 18 will see normal 30-minute episodes air at 7.30pm. Wednesday, February 19 will see an hour-long special air and Thursday, February 20th will see the soap go live for a very special episode.
What date was the first EastEnders?
The first epsiode of EastEnders aired on February 19 1985.
Created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland as a soap opera to rival Coronation Street and draw big audiences to BBC One, the show was originally broadcast at 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an omnibus on Sundays.
EastEnders 40th Anniversary live episode
It wouldn't be an EastEnders anniversary without the show going live to mark the occasion. Long-time fans watched as EastEnders went live for its 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, and this year is no different.
Once again we will see a full live episode which will be broadcast from BBC Elstree Centre on Thursday, February 20. This special episode will follow an hour-long special on Wednesday, February 19, which is the date of the official anniversary.
The official announcement from the BBC reads: "To officially mark 40 years since EastEnders first aired on BBC One, the whole week of episodes will take place over one day, with a special hour-long episode transmitting on Wednesday 19th February, followed by a full live episode on Thursday 20th February which is set to change Walford, and the lives of those who live in it forever."
The live epsiode will also have a first-of-its-kind interactive element where viewers can vote for who Denise chooses between Jack and Ravi (see below for more information!) - and the results will be revealed live on air.
EastEnders 40th Anniversary storylines
Denise - you choose
For the first time ever, EastEnders fans will be able to choose the outcome of a major storyline as they're given the power to decide whether Denise Fox reunites with estranged husband Jack or picks secret lover Ravi Gulati instead in an interactive Walford first. Not only will viewers get to vote for their choice, but the outcome will be revealed during the show's special live episode set to air in anniversary week, which means the cast will have to to react to the result live on air.
In Thursday's epsiode Denise Fox (Diane Parish) will realise it's time for her to decide who the man of her future is. Will it be ex-husband, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) or bad boy lover, Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara)? Which of Denise's two suitors will get a knock on their door that changes everything?
To vote, viewers must have a BBC Account. You can register for an account at BBC.co.uk/account, on or before February 19, 2025. The vote will officially open at 20:30 on Wednesday, February 19 at BBC.co.uk/EastEnders, and will close at 19:10 on Thursday, February 20 so the result can be incorporated into its live episode which will broadcast at 19:30 from BBC Elstree Centre that evening.
Once all votes have been cast, the vote will be independently verified and handed to the EastEnders Executive Producer, Chris Clenshaw, just before the live show. In that short amount of time, the cast and crew will disregard the losing script, and quickly prepare to depict the drama on screen that reflects the decision chosen by the viewers.
But - that's not all! The BBC has also hinted at another decision that lays in the hands of the viewers: "As well as playing matchmaker for Denise, viewers will also have an extra treat when they cast their vote as they will be given the opportunity to make another decision which will go down in Walford’s history."
Reiss returns and Sonia goes into labour
In Tuesday's epsiode Sonia and Bianca try to enjoy Billy and Honey Mitchell's wedding celebrations. However, while the ladies are over at the Vic, Reiss creeps into No.25 and lies in wait for them... but what does he have planned? After Bianca returns home from the wedding she soon finds her worst nightmare coming true. A furious confrontation ensues as Bianca goes all out to make sure Reiss pays for his terrible crimes. But will either of them make it out of the confrontation alive?
By Thursday's special live episode, pregnant Sonia goes into labour during explosive events at the Vic which see Billy and Honey's wedding celebrations go up in flames. With no medical support on hand and only two traumatised people close to lend a helping hand, will both Sonia and her baby make it out alive?
Cindy's attacker is revealed
EastEnders fans have been waiting since Christmas Day to find out who hit Cindy Beale over the head with a shovel and left her for dead in the snow. Luckily, we don't have to wait too long to get answers in this 'whodunnit' becasue Cindy’s Christmas Day attacker will be revealed during the show's celebration week.
After her affair with Junior Knight was exposed in true EastEnders fashion over Christmas, most of Cindy's friends and family are in the frame for the crime after families were torn apart. With Ian, Kathy, George, Elaine, Lauren, Junior and Cindy's children Peter, Gina and Anna all pointing the finger at one another, who will be exposed as the attacker?
Monday's episode will see Cindy come face-to-face with who she believes is the one who attacked her and everyone’s jaws drop to the floor. Later, events take a perilous turn for the worst when she catches them in a compromising situation – and points a gun at them. Has she finally got her mitts on Phil’s weapon that he stashed away in his safe? By Tuesday's epsiode the showdown begins with the person who has her missing locket, but a further twist turns the whole matter on its head.
An explosion rips through The Vic
The Queen Vic is set to be destroyed in a devastating blaze and we know that at least one person won't make it out of the burning building alive. While it is being kept under wraps exactly how the blaze starts we know that two dramatic showdowns trigger a terrible series of events which ends with a huge explosion coming from inside The Queen Vic.
Speaking about what fans can expect, Chris Clenshaw teased: "I can’t say too much, but it’s explosive. Apart from the live episode, we’ve pretty much shot most of it. It’s looking brilliant. Expect everything!"
Viewers will remember that it was back in 2010 that the pub last went up in flames as part of the soap's move to HD filming - and this time is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Billy and Honey's wedding day from hell
Billy and Honey might have been married once before, but that doesn't mean this time their wedding day will be a quiet affair. Set to be the wedding of the year in Albert Square, Billy and Honey will tie the knot and everyone is invited - however, when a catastrophic series of events leads to The Vic going up in flames, it seems another of their weddings is doomed. In Wednesday's hour-long special there's total panic as Billy, Honey and their wedding guests face a desperate fight to escape from the Vic before the building collapses... Outside, Jack Branning and a rescue party launch into action to try and free their friends and loved ones. But unfortunately, not everyone will make it out of the Vic alive...
Grant races to save Phil's life
Fans have watched Phil Mitchell spiraling into depression recently and in the anniversary week, his family and friends are worried that he could be becoming a danger to himself. Linda Carter, who has had her own battle with alcohol and mental health issues, raises the alarm after finding evidence that provides a devastating insight into Phil's current state of mind. Can Linda along with Phil's brother, Grant, and mate Nigel Bates find Phil before something terrible happens?
Love in the air for Martin and Stacey?
As well as Denise facing a tough choice between Jack and Ravi, Martin also finds himself fighting his feelings for Stacey Slater whilst trying to focus on his future with Ruby Allen and their son, Roman. Believing that he’s made his choice, Stacey tries to forget about her affections, however Jean knows that Stacey and martin are meant for one another and implores Stacey to tell Martin how she really feels - what will he do with this new information?
Is there a trailer for the EastEnders 40th anniversary?
Yes, we have a teaser trailer that hints at the explosion in The Vic, drama between Cindy and Ian, Grant trying to help Phil, and Bianca thrown into a fresh drama. You can watch below...
Who is returning for EastEnders 40th anniversary?
Grant Mitchell
While there has been speculation about many famous faces returning to Walford, the only name that has been officially announced so far is Ross Kemp, who will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell.
Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw has teased that "his return will play a significant part in the show’s 40th anniversary, and will make up many moments of truly unmissable TV."
Having joined the show almost 35 years ago, his character remains cemented in its rich history one half of the iconic Mitchell brother duo, and son to one of Walford’s most infamous matriarchs, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).
But what will bring Grant back to the Square? With Phil currently struggling, estranged best friend Nigel back on the Square, and ex-wife Sharon now dating his long-lost cousin Teddy Mitchell, it’s safe to say that Grant’s return will be nothing short of explosive!
As soon as other names are announced we will add them to this guide.
EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square
Ross Kemp presents EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, a one-off documentary that will revisit some of the show’s most ground-breaking storylines, including the first kiss between two gay men on British television, Kat’s historical abuse storyline, Mark Fowler and Zack’s HIV diagnoses.
We will also be taken behind the scenes as Ross speaks to actors from over the years including original cast members and show stalwarts Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Cotton) and Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts).
We will also see EastEnders legends Anita Dobson and Pam St Clement chatting with Ross as they take a look back at their time on the show.
EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In
The BBC is set to air a special show looking at the explosive storylines that are taking place in the soap's 40th anniversary week. The special will be hosted by actor and presenter, Joe Swash, who is best known to the EastEnders viewers as Mickey Miller. Viewers will be given behind-the-scenes insights into Cindy Beale’s attacker reveal, Denise, Jack and Ravi’s interactive love triangle, and will also reveal exclusive details relating to the live episode by talking to some of the actors directly involved including Jacqueline Jossa, Natalie Cassidy and Patsy Palmer.
Whilst re-watching their alter egos, some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the drama will share their possible theories on the outcomes of their storylines, whilst offering their thoughts on taking part in the live episode, and how it feels to be involved as the show reaches its monumental milestone.
The 45-minute special will air during the show’s anniversary week on BBC Three, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and will also include a special musical performance from a well-known EastEnders superfan.
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