shake up
BBC confirms major schedule shakeup for EastEnders ahead of live episode and shock 40th anniversary death
The BBC has pulled out all the stops for the 40th anniversary of EastEnders
BBC viewers are in for a shock as the broadcaster has made a huge change ahead of EastEnders' 40th anniversary.
The BBC soap has confirmed that EastEnders episodes will not air on BBC iPlayer before they have aired on BBC One for the week of the 40th anniversary.
3
3
3
EastEnders' bombshell week will see an extended hour-long episode on Wednesday the 19th as well as a live episode the following evening.
Yet any keen soap fans who thought they might be able to stream them early will be disappointed.
Usually the BBC iPlayer has episodes available from 6am on the day they're due to air, but the anniversary week episodes will not be available until after they air on BBC One.
The change to the usual schedule comes as the BBC soap celebrates its 40th year, with a huge storyline planned.
More on EastEnders
Teaser images have already been shared of the dramatic explosion and fire that will burst out from the Queen Vic, which could be about to kill off some key members of the cast.
Viewers are gearing up for one of the soap's most sensational storylines yet - and speculation over who will perish in the fire has started.
Photos of the aftermath surfaced earlier this month, showing a vast array of flowers left outside the gutted pub.
The Sun previously revealed Natalie Cassidy will be leaving Albert Square after 32 years, and her character Sonia Fowler is now one of the favourites to be killed in the blast
Most read in Soaps
The anniversary is also seeing familiar faces returning to Albert Square as Grant Mitchell, played by Ross Kemp, is coming back in time for the milestone.
After it was revealed he is heading back to Walford, Ross said: “I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary.
“EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour.
“Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang."
The BBC soap is also planning to re-air some iconic episodes from its 40 year history in honour of its birthday.
These episodes will be screened on BBC Four on Sunday 16 February in order to kick off the epic soap week in style.
The episodes that will be repeated include Den and Angie's infamous divorce showdown from 1986, the infamous Sharongate from 1994 in which Sharon Watts's affair with Phil is made public, the reveal of Pat and Frank Butcher's affair in 2000 and the heartbreaking conversation between Yolande and Patrick Trueman following her assault from last year.
Whilst these will be the four episodes that make it to screens, a further FIFTY episodes from between 1998 and 2008 are streaming on BBC iPlayer for fans to enjoy at their leisure.
Currently, every single episode of the soap broadcast since 2008 is also available to watch for free on the streaming site.
EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far
With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?
Tracy-Ann Oberman - Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley - Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French - French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer - Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Coming up this year...
Ross Kemp - Kemp will reprise his role as Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp's storyline as "explosive". Kemp said it was an "absolute honour" to return to the show.
Other aspects of the 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
Topics