Who are Julia and Tony as Sonia’s baby pays special tribute in EastEnders live episode?

EastEnders is set to pay tribute to its creators in tonight’s live episode as Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) names her baby either Julia or Toni. Sonia went into labour while trapped in the Queen Vic kitchen last night, and is set to give birth live this evening.

Over night, viewers have been voting on which name she will choose, both being references to the show’s creators, Julia Smith and Tony Holland. Producer Julia and Script Editor Tony first met in 1971 and began collaborating together on various projects including hospital drama Angels.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. In 1983 they were approached by the BBC about producing a soap-opera set in London that could compete with ITV favourites like Coronation Street, Crossroads and Emmerdale Farm (as it was known at the time).

They came up with the idea of a show that focused on close-knit working-class families and EastEnders was launched two years later. The rest is history. Julia and Tony stayed at the soap for four years before leaving after a row with BBC bosses over whether the character Den Watts should return to the show after being killed off.

There have been plenty of references to Julia and Tony over the years, including a special, slow version of the theme song, called Julia’s theme. The music is of course named after Julia, who died of cancer in 1997, while Tony passed away in 2007. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who’s leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?.

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In the 2015 live week, EastEnders paid tribute to Julia and Tony with an etching into a wall, that showed their names inside a heart. Tonight, the show is once again going live to celebrate 40 years on our screens. Viewers are set to find out Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) fate, after a beam fell on him at the end of last night’s episode.

Fans also voted on whether Denise Fox (Diane Parish) will choose Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) or Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), with the outcome set to be revealed tonight. Arrow MORE: EastEnders 40th anniversary live episode confirms Denise’s choice as legend dies.

Arrow MORE: Almighty EastEnders crash as killer strikes again in explosive twist. Arrow MORE: EastEnders character stages return amid 40th anniversary – and it spells trouble. All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy.