EastEnders star feared he’d be axed after receiving call from BBC boss

EastEnders is gearing up for its 40th anniversary with a series of special episodes, including a live broadcast that promises to be both innovative and interactive.

Scott Maslen, who portrays Jack Branning, recently shared his initial reaction upon learning about the live special.

Speaking on This Morning, he recounted, “We had a meeting, a phone call, with our boss who called all three of us in, which was strange. We had a little panic, thinking, ‘Oh no, it’s the end.’ But we were all on a call about the 40th anniversary, bringing everything together. They’ve done a really good job of that; there’s going to be a lot of surprises for people.”

“It’s exciting on many levels, not just ours. There are lots of different bits, segments of high-end madness.”

Scott spoke about when he got the call about the 40th anniversary

A significant highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the interactive storyline involving Jack Branning, Denise Fox (played by Diane Parish), and Ravi Gulati (portrayed by Aaron Thiara).

For the first time in the show’s history, viewers will have the power to influence the narrative by voting on Denise’s romantic choice. The audience will decide whether Denise should reunite with her estranged husband, Jack, or pursue a relationship with her secret lover, Ravi. The outcome of this vote will be revealed during the live episode next week.

Opening up on the first of its kind storyline, Diane Parish, who plays the role of Denise said she was ‘shocked’ when she first heard about it. “I was shocked when I found out, but I knew I was blessed to tell this story with two amazing actors, Scott Maslen and Aaron Thiara ,” she said, “It’s going to be so interesting as I click with both of them in different ways.”

Diane is just as pleased about the interactive element of the show as fans are, as she continued: “I love that the viewers are voting on Denise’s choice between two men, not the blokes’ choice!”

The star also gave some insight into the love triangle drama in the lead up to the episode, which includes a public kiss with Ravi. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses for the pair in the lead up. Denise is left questioning whether Ravi is the right one for her after confronting him about his criminal activities.

In the lead-up to the anniversary, the show has reintroduced several former characters, adding layers of complexity to the current storylines. Notably, Ross Kemp has returned as Grant Mitchell, playing a significant role in the celebrations. His comeback is expected to bring nostalgia and drama, especially as he becomes involved in a harrowing storyline with his on-screen brother, Phil Mitchell, who is grappling with mental health issues.

With the promise of high-stakes drama and viewer participation, EastEnders ‘ 40th anniversary is set to be a landmark event in British television history.