EastEnders icon says 40th anniversary ‘will be like no other’ as soap ‘first’ confirmed
EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has opened up about the soap's 40th anniversary, which will see the show go live for a full episode for the first time in over a decade
Jacqueline Jossa has opened up on EastEnders’ 40th anniversary teasing that it’s “going to be like no other”.
The BBC One soap is set to celebrate in style by airing a live episode with a massive twist next year. For the first time ever, fans will get to call the shots on one of the storylines. During the special anniversary week, viewers will have the chance to influence a romantic plotline with their votes.
Although the characters involved are still top secret, their destiny will be in the hands of the audience, and the outcome will unfold live on air. The cast and crew will have to be quick on their feet to act out whatever the public decides.
“It was kind of in the air and everyone was guessing whether we would do it or not but it feels like for the 40th we have to go big or go home so its going to be like no other.”
Flashback to 2010, memories flood back when Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) was revealed as the ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) during the show’s first live episode marking their 25th year, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Fast forward to 2015, and we were all on tenterhooks again for their 30th with a series of episodes sprinkled with live bits, climaxing in the epic ‘Who Kɪʟʟᴇᴅ Lucy Beale’ revelation.
Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: “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.
“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.”
