Death, fire, exits and gun horror in EastEnders’ 40th anniversary

The big week is almost upon us, as EastEnders gears up to celebrate a landmark forty years on air with a truly explosive set of episodes. Wednesday 19th February 2025, exactly four decades since Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher) and Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih) burst into Reg Cox’s flat and found the pensioner on the brink of death. All of next week’s episodes will be set on this date, including a nerve-racking live episode that rounds off the anniversary.

We kickstart with the preparations for Honey and Billy Mitchell’s (Emma Barton and Perry Fenwick) wedding, as their nearest and dearest rush around to ensure the day goes without a hitch. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Everyone is eager to make this a memorable event for the family, in the wake of Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) mental health decline and surprise return of his brother Grant (Ross Kemp).

With this being the fourth attempt at marriage, they are desperate to finally become man and wife again. Grant tries to keep a positive attitude with a struggling Phil, especially when his granddaughter Lexi (Isabella Brown) needs some help. Unfortunately, none of the infamous clan are aware of just how bad his inner thoughts are, and he forces himself to make a troubling decision. Elsewhere, we’re counting down the hours until Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) Christmas day attacker is finally unveiled.

The atmosphere is frosty between her and Ian (Adam Woodyatt), with a huge row soon breaking out at the café following a revelation from Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy). In scenes that air this week, Ian and Priya become closer… but is there more to their ‘blossoming relationship’ than meets the eye?. Cindy is enraged and hell-bent on exposing the mystery festive assailant, and interrupts the wedding to make one hell of an accusation!.

As she comes face-to-face with who she believes is the one who whacked her with a snow shovel, everyone’s jaws drop to the floor. Later, events take a perilous turn for the worst when she catches them in a compromising situation – and points a gun at them. Has she finally got her mitts on Phil’s weapon that he stashed away in his safe?. The showdown begins with the personal who has her missing locket, but a further twist turns the whole matter on its head.

Another key part of the big week is the dedicated audiences’ ability to vote for the outcome in Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) love triangle. She’s torn between ex-husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and old flame Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), but who will she choose? You decide!. Across the Square, she’s not the only one to find themselves stuck between two former loves. Martin Fowler (James Bye) is fighting his feelings for Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), whilst trying to focus on his future with Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton).

Believing that he’s made his choice, Stacey tries to forget about her affection. Mum Jean (Gillian Wright) implores her to tell Martin how she really feels, whilst Zack Hudson (James Farrar) has his own revelation for the Walford stalwart – detailing his fling with Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) many moons ago. There’s a sense of new beginnings for Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) as they try to adapt to a new normal in the wake of Reiss Colwell’s (Jonny Freeman) disappearance.

But how has Bianca been freed from captivity, and what has Sonia learnt about her ‘doting’ fiancé’s murderous behaviour?. Before long, Bianca runs into Grant, and a row ensues…. Grant has bigger concerns though, as Phil’s behaviour spirals and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) fears that he’s becoming a danger to himself. She arrives at his house to check up on him, and discovers an unsettling insight into his troubled state of mind. Linda raises the alarm with Grant and Nigel (Paul Bradley), before the three of them rush off to save Phil.

They discover him at The Arches and beg him not to harm himself, but he sees no way out of his turmoil. Sonia convinces Bianca to join her at the wedding, blissfully unaware that Reiss is back in the area and seeking revenge. With Bianca alone in No. 25, he sneaks in and her worst nightmares are realised. She has nowhere left to turn and ensures that the killer pays for his actions. Outside, two showdowns are the catalyst for a horrific series of events that cumulates in a huge explosion that destroys The Queen Vic. Aerial pictures from filming show that life will never be the same again!.

It’s a race against time for those inside as they try and navigate an escape route through the devastation, whilst Jack, Ravi and the other residents attempt a rescue operation from the other side of the walls. To access the vote, viewers must have a BBC Account. You can register for an account at BBC.co.uk/account, on or before February 19. The vote will officially open at 8:30pm on Wednesday February 19 at BBC.co.uk/EastEnders. It will close at 7:10pm on Thursday February 20, so the result can be incorporated into the live episode, which will broadcast at 7:30pm from BBC Elstree Centre that very evening.