EastEnders schedule shake up branded ‘a joke’ by fuming fans as they slam BBC decision over New Year’s Day episode
EASTENDERS fans have been left unimpressed after the BBC announced the New Year's Day episode, and what time it will air.
The BBC soap has been building to a spectacular and dramatic end of the year, with New Year's Day thought to be when viewers will see action kick off.
The 1st January episode of EastEnders sees Eve Unwin and Suki Panesar wed, in the BBC soap's first lesbian wedding.
Yet the happy day is looking set to fall apart with Suki's ex Nish on the scene, but viewers will have to wait until 10pm on New Year's Day for the full drama.
Typically EastEnders episodes appear on BBC iPlayer at 6am on the day they will be aired on BBC One, but the New Year's Day special has been held back - forcing fans to watch the episode live when it airs.
Taking to social media, soap fans have not held back on their anger at the decision as one person wrote: "how the hell am I meant to wait till 10pm to watch eastenders on nyd."
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Another shared: "im sorry new years day eastenders is at 10PM?!?!?? actually a joke im done."
"Why is Eastenders on at 10pm on New Year’s Day may I ask," said a third.
A fourth wrote: "Eastenders having episodes at 10pm!! Woke nonsense."
The huge episode has already been teased by EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw, who previously revealed viewers will see Nish Panesar's final act of vengeance.
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Speaking to The Sun, Chris said: “We’ve got a New Year storyline with Suki and Eve’s wedding which will be central to the action.
“It is EastEnders’ first lesbian wedding, Nish is out there he’s gone underground, it’s his final act of vengeance.
“My heart was in my mouth when I watched those episodes, and I knew what was coming! Expect lots of drama at New Year.”
The BBC boss has also teased that the 40th anniversary of EastEnders in February will bring just as much drama, as he explained: "I can’t say too much.
"It’s explosive, and we’ve pretty much shot most of it and it;’s looking brilliant. Expect everything."
EastEnders Christmas and New Year schedule
Monday December 23 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One
Tuesday December 24 - 6am iPlayer & 7:45pm BBC One
Christmas Day - 7:30pm & 10:35pm BBC One & iPlayer
Boxing Day - 8:30pm BBC One & iPlayer
Monday December 30 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One
Tuesday December 31 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One
New Year's Day - 10pm BBC One & iPlayer
Thursday January 2 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One