Everything shatters as tragedy looms in EastEnders 40th anniversary trailer

EastEnders has offered fans a first look at what’s to come during the highly-anticipated 40th anniversary with a brand new trailer – and boy is it explosive!

The BBC one soap officially turns 40 next week and to mark the historic milestone, a whole week’s worth of episodes will take place in one whole dayday.

A special hour-long edition will transmit on the evening of the actual anniversary (Wednesday, February 19) followed by a full live episode on Thursday (February 20), which will change Walford forever.

The week in question will be a dramatic one, that’s for sure, with a number of storylines set to explode – including the revelation of who attacked Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) will also stage a comeback to support struggling sibling Phil (Steve McFadden) and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) will tie the knot with Honey (Emma Barton).

The Queen Vic is also expected to go up in flames, as teased in the trailer as patriarch George Knight (Colin Salmon) orders everyone out.

Denise Fox (Diane Parish), meanwhile, is left with a major decision to make.

The Walford legend, as viewers know, is currently torn between a life with ex-husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and bad boy Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), who has well and truly swept her off her feet.

The hairdresser will ultimately make her decision between the two men during the upcoming milestone birthday week but, in a soap first, viewers get to vote for their choice of outcome.

In other words. Denise decides, but you choose!

Once all votes have been cast, the vote will be independently verified and handed to Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw – just before a fully live episode on Thursday, February 20.

The cast will then disregard the losing script and quickly prepare to depict the drama that reflects on screen, as chosen by audiences at home.

‘We’re all so excited to give our audience their first ever chance to decide how one of our big storylines plays out,’ said EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw.

‘Their votes will determine whether Denise picks Jack or Ravi, with the outcome being revealed as part of our live episode.

‘There is a lot to come over the next few weeks for all three involved, so it’ll be extremely exciting to see which way the audience choose to take the story!’

Discussing the storyline, Denise star Diane Parish said that her ‘jaw dropped’ upon learning that the audience would choose the outcome.

‘It’s a blessing [to be part of the 40th],’ she said. ‘I’ve been blessed throughout my time in EastEnders, particularly in the last few years. I think Chris Clenshaw understands Denise better than anybody, and he’s gifted me with the most exciting two years of my time on the show to date.

‘I’m really grateful to the story team who created these ideas for Denise. These stories mean I get to show what I can do, and whatever they throw at me, I’m going to do my best with it!’

Aaron Thiara, meanwhile, branded the week in question a ‘gift’.

‘I am deeply grateful and very appreciative to be part of such a landmark milestone for the show, having watched so many of the anniversaries when I was growing up,’ he added. ‘I used to watch and think, “Wow, this is such a spectacle, and there was a huge excitement in watching something live on TV.”

‘So, to be a part of it is something to check off the bucket list. For me, that’s a great feeling.

EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week kicks off from Monday, February 17 at 7:30pm on BBC One.