After a year of secrets, lies and deceit in Albert Square, EastEnders are lining up another explosive Christmas that will go down in soap history.
If you’ve been tuning into the festive boxset of classic episodes on BBC iPlayer like I have, you’ll be chomping at the bit for this year’s slice of yuletide action.
Now that the holiday season’s TV schedules have been announced, we know there’ll be a hefty two and a half hour break between the two instalments that air on Christmas Day.
The centrepiece of the drama will be the reveal that Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) has been engaging in a steamy affair with her former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) for the last year.
There’s also some delightfully warm moments for the residents, whilst sparks reignite for two Walford residents – the problem is, they’re both entwined in love triangles!
The threat of Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) continues to strike fear through the locals, but will he succeed in his plot against Suki (Balvinder Sopal) and Eve (Heather Peace)?
Here’s a full rundown of everything happening throughout the Christmas period.
Cindy and Junior’s affair is revealed
‘You’ll certainly be on the edge of your seats, but I would say it’s dramatic, powerful and moving. A classic EastEnders’ teased actress Michelle Collins.
With the recording of Cindy confessing to her fling and adoration for ex-husband George Knight (Colin Salmon) in the wrong hands, she has to concoct a shocking plan to make a blackmailer rethink their actions.
The threat of the floor falling from beneath her feet looms large, and she has to do whatever it takes to stop the Beale and Knight clan’s combined Christmases from crumbling.
As we know, somehow, the secret is exposed and the two families are blown apart.
On whether there could be a redemption for Cindy, Michelle added: ‘She is a complex character to play, she’s very self-destructive and she doesn’t have an off button, but I do think she needs some kind of redemption for the character to be believable.
Yolande makes a breakthrough
It’s set to be an emotional time for Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) when she rediscovers her Christian faith after a traumatic year.
Viewers have seen her abandon religion after being s.e.x.u.a.l.l.y assaulted by Pastor Clayton (Howard Saddler), who then took his own life to evade justice.
After learning that his funeral will take place on Christmas Eve, Yolande shuts off from her family and friends – even forgetting the anniversary of her partner Patrick’s (Rudolph Walker) sons death.
When other survivors of Clayton’s abuse ask to meet her at church on the day of his burial, she is buoyed by their words and decides to bravely move forward in life.
Peter and Lauren’s relationship is on the rocks
Following the fire at their flat, Peter Beale (Thomas Law) and girlfriend Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) continue to be at loggerheads.
This week we’ll see Cindy reluctantly supply her with more drugs – despite being aware of her pregnancy – causing her to fall asleep on the sofa as a candle falls over and sets her home ablaze.
‘I think that Lauren plays a really good game, but when Cindy goes dark, Lauren is really fearful of her’ Jacqueline said.
‘There’s part of Cindy that will do anything to protect her family, even though what she’s really doing is protecting herself.
‘Cindy will do anything to keep her secrets, and Lauren knows that Cindy will take her down.’
Martin struggles to see Stacey’s feelings
Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) is torn by her resurfacing feelings for ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye), and former best pal Ruby Allen’s (Louisa Lytton) presence is only making the atmosphere more frosty.
She’s already upset Martin by revealing his plan to gain full custody of his and Ruby’s son, Roman.
Stacey’s further put out when she learns that the pair are now living together. On Christmas Day she finally corners him for a discussion about her feelings, but they’re interrupted by her mum Jean (Gillian Wright) and Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), who inform them of the unfolding events at The Queen Vic.
‘I think what it is between Martin and Stacey is that she has always had feelings for him, it’s just they never quite work out whenever they’re together’ Lacey laughed.
‘I think they are one of those couples that shouldn’t be together, but they really want to be together.
‘Every time they try it never really works. I think seeing Ruby with him has probably made her go “Oh, I definitely do have feelings for him, but maybe I’m a bit late.”‘
Christmas choir chaos!
If you’re looking for something a bit more light-hearted, luckily everyone’s favourite influencer Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) has you covered.
After her Christmas choir efforts don’t go exactly to plan, the residents gather together to see the launch of the saucy market traders calendar – and are in for a shock!
Sharon’s worries for Phil
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) continues to be concerned about Phil’s (Steve McFadden) mental wellbeing as Nicola’s (Laura Doddington) jealousy of her new relationship with Teddy (Roland Manookian) grows by the day.
It’s incredibly awkward around the dinner table as the extended Mitchell family tuck into their turkey, forcing an uneasy Phil to leave the celebrations early.
Realising that he’s very quickly spiralling, Sharon shares her worries with an unlikely ally – but who will it be?
With returning characters around each and every corner, could we be seeing a familiar face return to The Square?
It’s been hotly speculated that Ross Kemp has reprised his Grant Mitchell role for the 40th Anniversary – could he be putting in an earlier than anticipated appearance?
Denise has a tough decision
There’s definitely something in the air around the East End this December, as Stacey isn’t the only one to find herself in the midst of a love triangle.
Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is on edge following Nish’s escape from prison – luckily for her, old flame Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) has promised to keep her safe.
This Christmas, he visits her to deliver a gift from daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) as a thank you for not only giving her a job at the salon, but also for being with her when Nish’s cronies broke in.
Will old feelings resurface?
Ravi isn’t the only one wanting to pay her a visit, as ex-husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and his daughter Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) drop in. It soon becomes clear that Denise is torn between the two men.
After agreeing to a quiet drink with Ravi, she heads home for a warm exchange with Jack.
Who will Denise choose?
Nish sightings spook Suki and Eve
Nish continues to hide out in a derelict flat on George Street, plotting to destroy his ex-wife Suki’s marriage to Eve Unwin.
As we approach New Year, the happy couple’s joint hen-do party is tainted by the police’s arrival with news of a Nish sighting.
Suki gets cold feet about the nuptials, and turns to Yolande for support. With her confidence boosted, she decides to go ahead – unaware that Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) is being manipulated by his evil grandfather.
Will the wedding go without a hitch? Probably not.
Ghosts of Christmas past return…
In today’s episode, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) can’t contain her demons and following mum Elaine’s (Harriet Thorpe) ultimatum – get clean or leave, she chooses the bottle.
She suffered a troubling dream where her children gathered to attend her funeral, and it seemed to be just the wake-up call she needed.
With the soap teasing that ‘ghosts of Christmas past’ will return, could Linda be visited by some more familiar faces in the coming weeks?
It’s also likely that we might see some more returnees in the lead up to the 40th anniversary, following on from Joe Swash who reprised his Mickey Miller role last week.
