BBC One soap EastEnders will celebrate 40 years on our screens all this week.
The actual anniversary episode will air on Wednesday, with a live instalment being broadcasted the next day.
Multiple storylines will reach dramatic conclusions, a wedding will go ahead, and the Queen Vic will burn to the ground.
A lot is happening this week, so think of this as a handy guide in terms of when EastEnders is on, and what drama will unfold.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When is EastEnders on tonight and the rest of this week?
EastEnders is on tonight – and it’s airing the rest of this week, too.
Fortunately, there won’t be a great deal of confusion where the actual schedule is concerned, as the soap will air as follows:
Monday: 7:30-8pm
Tuesday: 7:30-8pm
Wednesday: 7:30-8:30pm
Thursday: 7:30-8pm
Why is EastEnders not on iPlayer?
EastEnders has uploaded episodes the morning of broadcasting for a while now, but this won’t happen during the anniversary.
This is being done in order to prevent spoilers airing before other people have watched the episode. It certainly creates more excitement among the fanbase, as the EastEnders audience all sit down to watch the chaos at the same time.
What will happen during the anniversary week?
Put simply, an awful lot, but if you’re looking for more details:
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here's what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
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.
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 celebrations.
‘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,’ Ross teased.
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.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
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.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash 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?
