It’s shaping up to be another explosive Christmas Day in EastEnders, as the truth about Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Junior Knight’s (Micah Balfour) affair comes spilling out.
But fans might need to pace themselves with the festive food and drink if they want to stay awake for the drama, as the BBC soap is controversially airing much later than usual this year.
It has been confirmed the soap’s festive episode will be split into two parts on Christmas Day, with the second not airing until 10.30pm.
While more recent years have seen EastEnders air one hour-long special on Christmas Day – usually around 9pm – the BBC is reverting to the two-episode format of years gone by.
On 25 December, fans will get their first slice of Walford action at 7.25pm on BBC One, as the show clashes with Coronation Street on ITV1, which is airing from 7pm for an hour.
The second instalment will then air after a 65-minute Call the Midwife special and the highly-anticipated final episode of Gavin & Stacey, which airs for 90 minutes from 9pm.
It has also been confirmed that there will be an extended episode of EastEnders on Christmas Eve, airing for 45 minutes from 7.30pm on BBC One.
Boxing Day’s episode will also air in a later 10pm slot for 30 minutes.
An official synopsis for the events of Christmas previously confirmed: ‘Secrets and lies are set to throw a wrecking ball into the Beale family festivities this year as the shocking truth about Cindy is revealed in spectacular fashion on Christmas Day.
‘The incriminating evidence captured on tape will expose Cindy’s true love for ex-husband George and her scandalous affair with his son, Junior.
‘Cindy has nowhere to hide as all hell breaks loose in the Beale and Knight families, with fury and accusations flying on all sides.’
It has also been revealed that Denise Fox (Diane Parish) will be getting an unexpected Christmas present courtesy of an unlikely gift-bearer, while ghosts of Christmas past also return to haunt Albert Square.
Meanwhile, the BBC has uploaded all previous EastEnders Christmas Day specials onto iPlayer for fans to binge in the lead-up to this year’s festivities.
