EastEnders treats fans to another unexpected gift for 40th anniversary

EastEnders has vastly expanded its collection of classic episodes on BBC iPlayer ahead of the soap’s 40th anniversary. Soap fans can now relive more iconic moments from the Walford archives with more than 50 episodes from 1985 to 2008 available to stream. iPlayer previously showcased only a handful of classic episodes from the soap’s early years, like the Christmas 1985 edition which saw Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) serve wife Angie (Anita Dobson) with divorce papers.

But many more are now on offer, including Bianca Jackson’s (Patsy Palmer) 1997 wedding to Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), the reveal of the ‘Who shot Phil?’ whodunnit from 2001 and Dot Cotton (June Brown) and Jim Branning’s (John Bardon) engagement and wedding. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next.

Fans can also enjoy Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) 90s affair with David Wicks (Michael French) again, or witness Sonia Fowler’s (Natalie Cassidy) surprise labour from 2000. If you want to binge some of these memorable moments, all you have to do is search for the ‘Classic EastEnders’ collection on iPlayer. Of course, BBC iPlayer is also still home to the complete archive of all episodes from 2008 right through to the present day.

Last year, every Christmas episode from 1985 to 2023 also became available to enjoy again. The new additions to the classic collection are just one of the ways the soap is celebrating its 40th anniversary later this month. As well as an explosive week of episodes – including a fully-live instalment – bosses have lined-up many other treats, including a cast takeover of other popular BBC shows. On 15 February, Adam Woodyatt, Michelle Collins, Micah Balfour and Molly Rainford will all appear on an EastEnders-themed edition of Bridge of Lies, which is hosted by Walford icon Ross Kemp (aka Grant Mitchell).

Former cast members Danielle Harold (Lola Pearce) and Max Bowden (Ben Mitchell) will also reunite for a special episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip to air on 14 February. Here's what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:. Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.

This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20. The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…. With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.

We also know that another 'history making' decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced. ​​Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations. ‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.

With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week. Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops. Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.

BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama. As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.

Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There's also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens - is this from the wedding?. Meanwhile, Joe Swash will host EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In following the live episode. The special spin-off will take viewers behind the scenes, offering insights into Cindy’s attacker reveal and Denise, Jack and Ravi’s interactive love triangle, as well as digging into the events of the live episode.