EastEnders marks 40 years of unmissable Albert Square drama in a truly explosive way, as confirmed in my new spoiler pictures, with the milestone anniversary week set to change Walford forever.
The BBC One soap pulls out all the stops to make the 40th anniversary one to remember, with the culmination of a number of long-running stories on the cards, plus a few unexpected and surprising twists along the way.
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), as viewers know, has been struggling with his mental health in recent weeks, sparking the concern of his loved ones and neighbours.
Worried for his friend’s wellbeing, Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has enlisted the help of Grant (Ross Kemp), who staged his long-awaited comeback this week, setting the stage for the anniversary week perfectly.
As the week in question kicks off, Phil’s state of mind is the subject of much concern. Grant does his best to keep the mood light – but he and the rest of the Mitchells remain unaware of the truth depths of Phil’s despair as the former mechanic makes a big decision.
Hot off her return to the Square, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) comes to believe that Phil is a danger to himself and thus she raises the alarm with Nigel and Grant, with the trio doing everything in their power to make it to Phil before it’s too late.
Can they convince him not to harm himself?
The day in question is an intense one for the Mitchell clan, with Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey (Emma Barton) also set to walk down the aisle.
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), meanwhile, clashes once more with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and, fed up of living in fear, she interrupts the wedding celebrations to make quite an accusation, coming face-to-face with the person she believes to be her attacker.
Elsewhere, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) finds herself torn between Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) returns to Walford, terrifying Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) as her worst fears are realised.
The aforementioned events spiral out of control and worlds collide, with two dramatic showdowns triggering a devastating and chaotic series of events, with the Queen Vic blown to smithereens!
The residents trapped inside fight with all their might to escape while, outside, a number of the Square’s finest rally to save as many lives as they can.
The week culminates with a special live episode and, as the fire rages on, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) goes into labour and Denise ultimately makes a decision between the two men in her lives – as voted for by you, the public!
Lives will be forever changed as EastEnders goes all out in a week that is absolutely not to be missed. Grab the popcorn!
EastEnders airs these scenes between Monday, February 17 and Thursday, February 20 at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
