EastEnders is preparing to deliver its traditional festive fireworks with a Christmas Day special packed with drama, iconic comebacks, and a shaken-up BBC One schedule.
Festive Schedule Shake-Up For Walford
This year, the BBC soap will break from its usual single evening slot to air two half-hour episodes on Christmas Day. The first instalment will hit screens at 7:45pm, followed by the first part of the Call the Midwife Christmas special at 8:15pm.
After the Amandaland special at 9:15pm, viewers will return to Albert Square for the second half of the EastEnders drama at 9:45pm. It is yet to be confirmed if the episodes will follow the now-common practice of an early morning release on BBC iPlayer.
The full festive broadcasting schedule for EastEnders is as follows:
- Monday December 22 - 7:30pm
- Tuesday December 23 - 7:30pm
- Wednesday December 24 (Christmas Eve) - 6:55pm
- Thursday December 25 (Christmas Day) - 7:45pm & 9:45pm
- Friday, December 26 - 9:30pm
- Monday December 29: 7:30pm
- Tuesday December 30: 7:30pm
- Wednesday December 31: 7:30pm
- Thursday January 1 - 7:30pm
Legendary Returns And Explosive Storylines
The Christmas episodes promise major drama, centred on Nigel Bates' dementia storyline. In a poignant twist, Nigel's worsening condition will see the surprise returns of two much-loved, late characters. Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson are reprising their roles as the legendary Pat Butcher and Barry Evans.
As Nigel panics and flees after overhearing Phil Mitchell and Julie Bates arguing over his care, his confused state intensifies. He is soon visited by visions of Pat and Barry, blurring past and present. The drama leads to a family Christmas dinner, but not before Phil has a crucial realisation.
Square-Wide Drama And A Police Siege
The turmoil extends far beyond the Queen Vic. Zoe Slater remains fraught amid her stalker ordeal, and a shocking discovery sends alarm bells ringing. Meanwhile, Anthony Trueman struggles through his first Christmas apart from his ex-wife and children, his behaviour causing concern.
Explosive events will escalate into a catastrophic situation, leading to police swarming the Square. In the aftermath, shocking secrets are exposed, leaving residents with more questions than answers and struggling to see a way forward.
Over with the Brannings, a secret pushes Max Branning to the edge, with Lauren and Jack trying to calm him. Max's actions lead to potential regret, and the drama peaks when a drunken Oscar Branning drops a bombshell revelation on his father, threatening to derail the family's festivities entirely. Their Christmas dinner with the Beales is set for fireworks, especially when a run-in with Cindy Beale sparks more truths at the table.
