There's a massive episode of EastEnders coming up tonight (Thursday 20 February) to mark the BBC soap's 40th anniversary. The show is going live once again, ignoring any fears of on-air mistakes to bring viewers an action-packed live episode. EastEnders cast and crew are pulling out all the stops, amid mass secrecy around what will happen.
With the fallout to Wednesday's explosive episode being brought to fans live as it happens, acted out on air, the no doubt daunting performances will see a set of twists and turns including two live votes and a possible death. The show should be heavily applauded for attempting another live after a fair few gaffes in the past.
That said, the live episodes are always ones to watch, and this year could be their most daring yet. We've got a major character possibly about to be killed off in a collapsing building, and the public deciding two key twists - not to mention any secrets soap boss Chris Clenshaw has up his sleeve. Here's all the things that could go very wrong, making the episode a brave decision...
We have two big votes on our hands ahead of the live episode, with the results to be announced during the scenes later in the evening. First up, fans must decide whether Denise Fox chooses to be with Jack Branning or Ravi Gulati. Then there's the result of Sonia Fowler's baby name, with her giving birth in the live episode. Fans have been tasked with choosing between Julia and Toni, a nod to the show's creators.
But a live vote result can go pretty wrong. What if the results aren't delivered in time to the actors? What if they get told the wrong name, or say the wrong result? The won't know until the result is revealed so it could lead to quite the mishap? Not to mention if the vote itself is hit with technical issues.
Wednesday's episode ended with Martin Fowler crushed by a metal beam as he and Stacey Slater tried to flee the wrecked pub. Now, he brought it on himself given the fact he had numerous attempts to escape before the collapse, only for he and Stacey to choose that moment to have a row.
Eventually their chat ended with their admission they were still in love with each other. Just seconds before Martin was crushed he told Stacey it was her he loved, not Ruby Allen – despite his recent romantic reunion with Ruby after discovering he has a son with Johnny Allen's daughter, called Roman.
After the pair shared a kiss, Martin bravely shoved Stacey out of the way as he saw the beam flying towards them, before his legs became trapped. He screamed out in agony as the episode ended with fans now convinced the legend will be killed off. After 40 years on the show, it would be quite an exit for Martin. Amid fears actor James Bye is leaving the role, it's not the first time the show has killed someone off live on air – with Bradley Branning falling to his death from the very same pub in 2010.
But with a death there is so much risk in live scenes – what if Martin dies at the wrong time, or he makes sudden movement post-demise? Fans will likely be too busy sobbing if Martin does meet a grisly end, but with any death it could go very wrong!.
There's been some shock returns and major reveals happening on the BBC soap in recent weeks and months. We wouldn't put it past soap boss Chris to have one more big twist or secret up his sleeve. So are they planning a major return or a death or a a new storyline? Is a cameo or a surprise planned? If so it could easily go wrong if someone figures it out beforehand, or if it is revealed onscreen too early!.
Something that has caught cast out during live episodes on numerous times is getting a word or a name wrong, or forgetting their lines under pressure. We've had characters called by their cast names, we've had the public mentioned and we've had awkward silences.
It's very easily done, so of course there is every chance the same will happen again on Thursday. So what will be the next 'How's Adam?' or sentence blunder? Fans are eager to have some sort of mistake to turn into the next big meme! We're obviously wishing the cast luck with no mistakes!.
The final thing that could go wrong is based on the ambitious stunt they have combined with the live episode. The Queen Vic is literally collapsing bit by bit, and fans are convinced the whole thing will fall down. There's parts of the structure that look ready to fall, and hints it could all come crashing down. But could they really pull this off on air? Could this lead to something going very wrong? Also there's the risk of the cameras filming the wrong thing at the wrong time like when Max Branning threw up after seeing his son Bradley fall to his death - they have a lot of work on their hands.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads . Don't miss out on the biggest soaps gossip! Get a daily email direct to your inbox with our newsletter.
