EastEnders is set to embark on a live episode to celebrate its 40th anniversary next week, and it involves a never-been-done-before soap twist.
For the first time ever, viewers will get to vote on the outcome of a storyline, as Denise Fox (Diane Parish) chooses whether she wants to be with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) or Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).
Actress Diane Parish expressed how thrilled she was to discover that she would be playing such a big part in the anniversary celebrations.
‘Chris [Clenshaw, executive producer] told us all at the same time and our jaws dropped!
‘I did suspect something might be coming between Denise and Ravi as I kept having a few little scenes with Aaron, and I didn’t know why.
‘We wondered, after everything that happened between Denise and Ravi, how we’d get to this point. But I was sure that working with an actor like Aaron, who is wonderful, inquisitive, curious and committed, that it would work.
‘So, while I was shocked, I knew this was going to be very interesting as I would be doing this story with two amazing actors.’
Meanwhile, Aaron Thiara is a big fan of the interactive element the viewer vote will bring to the episodes.
‘I think it’s genius. What EastEnders does so well is that it’s in your home four times a week, so we all feel like a part of it.
‘I know when I watch it, and when I watched it before I joined the cast, you feel so invested in the characters and the stories, and you are often shouting at the TV.
‘So, giving the viewers an opportunity to decide is a brilliant way of combining the show with the fans.’
‘I think it’s great that we have this interactive vote,’ Scott Maslen agreed. ‘Having this new element, where we get the public involved and let them decide, is really exciting for our viewers.
‘I don’t mind which way the vote goes because whatever happens, we’ll have done our job and told a great story.
‘Jack and Ravi are two very different characters, and they play well together on the show.
‘I love Aaron Thiara (Ravi) – he is brilliant, and he came in with a great attitude and fitted in so nicely from the off.
‘I’m really pleased to be working with him and Di Parish, who is amazing and always knocks it out of the park.’
