To celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, EastEnders will be going live on TV for a full episode in Albert Square once again but this time, there will be a "first-of-its-kind twist".
The BBC soap first went live almost 10 years ago, in 2010 for its 25th anniversary, when it was revealed that Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) killed Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb).
Then five years later in 2015, the programme went live for its 30th anniversary with a set of five episodes that all included live elements as the Who Killed Lucy Beale whodunit was discovered.
However, in 2025, the live 40th-anniversary episode will see the audience have the power to decide the outcome of one storyline.
No more playing nice. Watch the whole episode of #EastEnders now on @BBCiPlayer: https://t.co/ty18pEjWcn pic.twitter.com/67TGSjy2mn
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) September 9, 2024
In a first for EastEnders, the anniversary week in Walford will have an added twist to include an interactive element where the viewers will be able to choose their desired outcome of a love story.
Whilst those in question currently remain under wraps, their fate will remain firmly in the viewers’ hands and the outcome will play out during the live episode as the cast and crew will be set to adapt the scene to portray whichever result is voted for by the public.
Chris Clenshaw, executive producer commented: “The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises.
"In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week.
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"This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines.
"Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever.”
The episode will broadcast live from BBC Elstree Centre in February 2025.
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