On 19th February 1985, 13 million viewers tuned into the first episode of EastEnders, which saw Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher), Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) force their way into Reg Cox’s (Marc Tufano) flat to find him dead.
Fast-forward to now and the residents of Walford are still bringing the drama, and next month sees the show reach a milestone few TV shows can dream of – its 40th anniversary.
As it celebrates the big Four-Oh, the BBC soap is marking the occasion in seriously spectacular fashion.
From a viewer vote, to big returns and a live episode, here is everything we know so far…
When is EastEnders’ live episode?
EastEnders will be marking its 40th anniversary with a week of episodes that take place over the course of one day.
The soap will air as usual on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th February, with an hour-long instalment scheduled for Wednesday 19th.
This will be followed by a fully-live episode on Thursday 20th February at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer as Walford goes live to the nation.
It is the first time since the 30th anniversary the show has had a live episode, with the last one seeing Lucy Beale’s killer revealed.
What date is EastEnders’ 40th anniversary?
EastEnders’ official 40th birthday falls on Wednesday 19th February 2025.
What will happen during EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week?
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
The vote will officially open at 8:30pm on Wednesday February 19 at bbc.co.uk/eastenders, and will close at 7:10pm on Thursday February 20 so the result can be incorporated into its live episode which will broadcast at 7:30pm from BBC Elstree Centre that very evening.
‘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!’ says executive producer Chris Clenshaw.
To access the vote, viewers must have a BBC Account. You can register for an account at BBC.co.uk/account, on or before February 19.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th anniversary.
Son to one of Walford’s most loved matriarchs Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and the brother of soap stalwart Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Grant was involved in many of EastEnders’ most memorable storylines during the 90s, including the infamous ‘Sharongate’.
While little is yet known about what brings him back to Walford, we know that his brother Phil is struggling, his ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is dating his long lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) and his childhood friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) is back in town and dealing with a dementia diagnosis.
Whatever happens, Grant’s return visit home is bound to be unmissable.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
A new ‘whodunnit?’ has since started to play out with the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous members of the Beale and Knight families.
But all will be revealed during anniversary week when Cindy’s attacker is unmasked at last.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops. This will air on Friday 14th February.
Pat Butcher and Angie Watts are making surprise EastEnders returns for the 40th anniversary – but not as you may think.
Actresses Pam St Clement and Anita Dobson are both set to feature in a new documentary fronted by Ross Kemp to mark the soap’s big milestone.
Original Queen Vic landlady Anita will be reunited with her on-screen daughter Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon Watts for a trip down memory lane.
Pam will also share an insight into her 28 years playing Walford’s resident earring connoisseur Pat.
In the special one-hour documentary – titled EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square – Ross will go behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
Following the live episode on Thursday 20th,Joe Swash will host a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
