On 19 February 1985, 13 million viewers tuned into the first episode of EastEnders, which saw Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher), Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) force their way into Reg Cox’s (Marc Tufano) flat to find him near death.
Fast-forward to now and the residents of Walford are still bringing the drama, and next month sees the show reach a milestone few TV shows can dream of – its 40th anniversary.
As it celebrates the big Four-Oh, the BBC soap is marking the occasion in seriously spectacular fashion.
From a viewer vote, to big returns and a live episode, here is everything we know so far…
What date is EastEnders’ 40th anniversary?
EastEnders’ official 40th birthday falls on Wednesday 19 February 2025.
However, rather than contain the celebrations to just one episode, soap bosses have a week of special instalments planned.
‘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,’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw says.
What will happen during EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week?
A live episode
It wouldn’t be a true EastEnders milestone anniversary without a live episode, would it?
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.
The episode that will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to have their say and vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors then having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides
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.
‘There is a lot to come over the next few weeks for all three involved, so it’ll be extremely exciting to see which way the audience choose to take the story!’ says executive producer Chris Clenshaw.
Details of how viewers can vote will be revealed in due course.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th anniversary.
Son to one of Walford’s most loved matriarchs Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and the brother of soap stalwart Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Grant was involved in many of EastEnders’ most memorable storylines during the 90s, including the infamous ‘Sharongate’.
While little is yet known about what brings him back to Walford, we know that his brother Phil is struggling, his ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is dating his long lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) and his childhood friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) is back in town and dealing with a dementia diagnosis.
Whatever happens, Grant’s return visit home is bound to be unmissable.
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.
A new ‘whodunnit?’ has since started to play out with the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous members of the Beale and Knight families.
But all will be revealed during anniversary week when Cindy’s attacker is unmasked at last.
A special documentary
Pat Butcher and Angie Watts are making surprise EastEnders returns for the 40th anniversary – but not as you may think.
Actresses Pam St Clement and Anita Dobson are both set to feature in a new documentary fronted by Ross Kemp to mark the soap’s big milestone.
Original Queen Vic landlady Anita will be reunited with her on-screen daughter Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon Watts for a trip down memory lane.
Pam will also share an insight into her 28 years playing Walford’s resident earring connoisseur Pat.
In the special one-hour documentary – titled EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square – Ross will go behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
