EastEnders’ most shocking Christmas Day episodes from tragic d.e.a.t.h.s to iconic returns
Over the years, EastEnders has seen some very dramatic moments, especially during the festive season - here are some of the most shocking scenes from Christmas Day episodes...
Every Christmas, we all cosy up on the couch with a glass of Baileys and a leftover turkey sandwich to watch the drama unfold on Albert Square. But let’s face it, Christmas Day in Walford just wouldn’t be the same without a wedding disaster, a cheating scandal or someone serving their partner divorce papers.
Over the years, EastEnders has delivered an unbelievable amount of shocking moments, and some of the most memorable ones are permanently etched in our soap-obsessed minds. So, as we approach the 2024 EastEnders Christmas special – which is bound to bring enough drama to last us until the New Year – OK! magazine has had a look at some of the most shocking scenes from past episodes…
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1 of 10Dirty Den wants a divorce – 1986
Remember that episode of EastEnders that went down in history – probably the most iconic Christmas Day moment whether you witnessed it live or have seen the clips a thousand times? It’s the one where Dirty Den famously handed Angie her divorce papers after discovering her cancer lie, and uttered the unforgettable line: “Happy Christmas, Ange.”
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2 of 10
The return of Frank Butcher – 1995
Mike Reid, also known as Frank Butcher, delivered a jaw-dropping surprise to everyone in Albert Square when he made an unexpected return on Christmas Day in 1995. Talk about drama – especially since his wife Pat Butcher got the shock of her life realising she was in quite the pickle having just started a fling with Roy Evans!
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3 of 10
Jamie’s tragic goodbye – 2002
Rewinding back to 2002, Martin Fowler hit Jamie Mitchell with his car, which resulted in Jamie being put on life support in hospital. Jamie’s girlfriend, Sonia Jackson, rushed to his side, where they both confessed their eternal love for each other, with Jamie even slipping a ring onto her finger. In typical soap opera fashion, Jamie drew his last breaths as the hospital machines started to beep, followed by the iconic EastEnders’ duff duffs.
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4 of 10
Max and Stacey’s affair reveal – 2007
The Branning family always seems to be at the heart of a dramatic Christmas episode. A decade before Abi and Lauren’s fall from the Queen Vic roof, Max and Stacey’s affair was exposed in a memorable Christmas Day special. To jog your memory, Stacey was married to Max’s son, Bradley, and for Christmas, Lauren gifted Bradley a video of their wedding. However, as the family gathered to watch the footage, they were soon confronted with shocking scenes of Stacey and Max sharing a passionate kiss. As expected, chaos ensued….
Every Christmas, we all cosy up on the couch with a glass of Baileys and a leftover turkey sandwich to watch the drama unfold on Albert Square. But let’s face it, Christmas Day in Walford just wouldn’t be the same without a wedding disaster, a cheating scandal or someone serving their partner divorce papers.
Over the years, EastEnders has delivered an unbelievable amount of shocking moments, and some of the most memorable ones are permanently etched in our soap-obsessed minds. So, as we approach the 2024 EastEnders Christmas special – which is bound to bring enough drama to last us until the New Year – OK! magazine has had a look at some of the most shocking scenes from past episodes…
-
1 of 10
Dirty Den wants a divorce – 1986
Remember that episode of EastEnders that went down in history – probably the most iconic Christmas Day moment whether you witnessed it live or have seen the clips a thousand times? It’s the one where Dirty Den famously handed Angie her divorce papers after discovering her cancer lie, and uttered the unforgettable line: “Happy Christmas, Ange.”
-
2 of 10
The return of Frank Butcher – 1995
Mike Reid, also known as Frank Butcher, delivered a jaw-dropping surprise to everyone in Albert Square when he made an unexpected return on Christmas Day in 1995. Talk about drama – especially since his wife Pat Butcher got the shock of her life realising she was in quite the pickle having just started a fling with Roy Evans!
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3 of 10
Jamie’s tragic goodbye – 2002
Rewinding back to 2002, Martin Fowler hit Jamie Mitchell with his car, which resulted in Jamie being put on life support in hospital. Jamie’s girlfriend, Sonia Jackson, rushed to his side, where they both confessed their eternal love for each other, with Jamie even slipping a ring onto her finger. In typical soap opera fashion, Jamie drew his last breaths as the hospital machines started to beep, followed by the iconic EastEnders’ duff duffs.
-
4 of 10
Max and Stacey’s affair reveal – 2007
The Branning family always seems to be at the heart of a dramatic Christmas episode. A decade before Abi and Lauren’s fall from the Queen Vic roof, Max and Stacey’s affair was exposed in a memorable Christmas Day special. To jog your memory, Stacey was married to Max’s son, Bradley, and for Christmas, Lauren gifted Bradley a video of their wedding. However, as the family gathered to watch the footage, they were soon confronted with shocking scenes of Stacey and Max sharing a passionate kiss. As expected, chaos ensued….
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5 of 10
Pauline Fowler passes away – 2008
EastEnders said goodbye to one of its legends, Pauline Fowler, after a whopping 21 years on our screens, leaving fans in utter disbelief and absolute sadness as she collapsed from a brain haemorrhage in the Christmas snow. Adding to the tragedy, Wendy Richard – the incredible lady who brought Pauline to life – passed away a year later following her own battle with breast cancer.
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6 of 10
Archie Mitchell murder – 2009
Then there’s the tale of Walford baddie Archie Mitchell, who met a grisly end after copping a Queen Vic bar statue to the head on Christmas Day of 2009. Cue the epic ‘who killed Archie’ mystery that kept us all guessing until it blew wide open during the show’s 25th anniversary in February 2010 – revealing Stacey Slater as the vengeful murderer, avenging Archie’s horrendous actions against her.
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7 of 10
Abi and Lauren fall off the Queen Vic – 2017
Christmas Day 2017 was marked by a tragic event when a pregnant Abi Branning fell from the roof of the Queen Vic, resulting in her death. Her sister Lauren also took a tumble with her, as they both tried to prevent their father, Max Branning, from committing suicide. Following the fall, the Branning sisters were immediately taken to hospital, where it was disclosed that Lauren had survived, but Abi was pronounced brain dead.
Every Christmas, we all cosy up on the couch with a glass of Baileys and a leftover turkey sandwich to watch the drama unfold on Albert Square. But let’s face it, Christmas Day in Walford just wouldn’t be the same without a wedding disaster, a cheating scandal or someone serving their partner divorce papers.
Over the years, EastEnders has delivered an unbelievable amount of shocking moments, and some of the most memorable ones are permanently etched in our soap-obsessed minds. So, as we approach the 2024 EastEnders Christmas special – which is bound to bring enough drama to last us until the New Year – OK! magazine has had a look at some of the most shocking scenes from past episodes…
-
1 of 10
Dirty Den wants a divorce – 1986
Remember that episode of EastEnders that went down in history – probably the most iconic Christmas Day moment whether you witnessed it live or have seen the clips a thousand times? It’s the one where Dirty Den famously handed Angie her divorce papers after discovering her cancer lie, and uttered the unforgettable line: “Happy Christmas, Ange.”
-
2 of 10
The return of Frank Butcher – 1995
Mike Reid, also known as Frank Butcher, delivered a jaw-dropping surprise to everyone in Albert Square when he made an unexpected return on Christmas Day in 1995. Talk about drama – especially since his wife Pat Butcher got the shock of her life realising she was in quite the pickle having just started a fling with Roy Evans!
-
3 of 10
Jamie’s tragic goodbye – 2002
Rewinding back to 2002, Martin Fowler hit Jamie Mitchell with his car, which resulted in Jamie being put on life support in hospital. Jamie’s girlfriend, Sonia Jackson, rushed to his side, where they both confessed their eternal love for each other, with Jamie even slipping a ring onto her finger. In typical soap opera fashion, Jamie drew his last breaths as the hospital machines started to beep, followed by the iconic EastEnders’ duff duffs.
-
4 of 10
Max and Stacey’s affair reveal – 2007
The Branning family always seems to be at the heart of a dramatic Christmas episode. A decade before Abi and Lauren’s fall from the Queen Vic roof, Max and Stacey’s affair was exposed in a memorable Christmas Day special. To jog your memory, Stacey was married to Max’s son, Bradley, and for Christmas, Lauren gifted Bradley a video of their wedding. However, as the family gathered to watch the footage, they were soon confronted with shocking scenes of Stacey and Max sharing a passionate kiss. As expected, chaos ensued….
-
5 of 10
Pauline Fowler passes away – 2008
EastEnders said goodbye to one of its legends, Pauline Fowler, after a whopping 21 years on our screens, leaving fans in utter disbelief and absolute sadness as she collapsed from a brain haemorrhage in the Christmas snow. Adding to the tragedy, Wendy Richard – the incredible lady who brought Pauline to life – passed away a year later following her own battle with breast cancer.
-
6 of 10
Archie Mitchell murder – 2009
Then there’s the tale of Walford baddie Archie Mitchell, who met a grisly end after copping a Queen Vic bar statue to the head on Christmas Day of 2009. Cue the epic ‘who killed Archie’ mystery that kept us all guessing until it blew wide open during the show’s 25th anniversary in February 2010 – revealing Stacey Slater as the vengeful murderer, avenging Archie’s horrendous actions against her.
-
7 of 10
Abi and Lauren fall off the Queen Vic – 2017
Christmas Day 2017 was marked by a tragic event when a pregnant Abi Branning fell from the roof of the Queen Vic, resulting in her death. Her sister Lauren also took a tumble with her, as they both tried to prevent their father, Max Branning, from committing s.u.i.c.i.d.e. Following the fall, the Branning sisters were immediately taken to hospital, where it was disclosed that Lauren had survived, but Abi was pronounced brain d.e.a.d.
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8 of 10
Phil finds out about Sharon’s affair – 2019
Christmas Day 2019 was a rollercoaster of emotions, as Phil Mitchell discovered Sharon’s affair with his daughter Louise’s boyfriend, Keanu Taylor. The shock didn’t end there, as Phil also questioned if he was the father of Sharon’s baby… -
9 of 10
Mick Carter meets a watery grave – 2022
Fast forward to Christmas Day 2022, and we saw a heartwarming reunion between Mick and Linda Carter, which quickly turned into a nightmare. In a high-speed car chase, Janine Butcher and Linda’s vehicle plunged off a cliff. Mick managed to rescue Janine but disappeared after Linda escaped the wreckage on her own and is presumed d.e.a.d.
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10 of 10
The Six cause chaos – 2023
Labelled as ‘The Six’, Stacey, Suki Panesar, Linda, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox and Kathy Beale were at the heart of the drama on Christmas Day 2023. The scorned wives of Walford found themselves in a perilous situation when Nish Panesar attacked his wife. Denise came to Suki’s rescue by striking him over the head. Audiences were led to believe that Nish was d.e.a.d, but it was actually Keanu who met a grisly end when Linda defended Sharon by stabbing him with a meat thermometer.
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