EastEnders kicked off its highly anticipated 40th anniversary in style this evening, as the build-up to Thursday night’s live episode began.
The BBC One soap is marking 40 years on air with four explosive and must-see offerings this week so expect drama aplenty!
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) successfully tied the knot, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) tried to hide the extent of his depression.
Elsewhere, the mystery of the Walford Walloper drew closer to its conclusion as Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) came face to face with her attacker, while wielding a gun!
But who was holding the locket?
And ahead of the public vote opening on Wednesday night, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) found herself even more conflicted as Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) ramped up their efforts to win her heart.
The drama snowballs later this week, with the Queen Vic set to go up in smoke, endangering a number of mainstays.
It’s going to be an explosive week so, without further ado, let’s get the 40th birthday celebrations underway!
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Well, what a start to the week that was!
There is still plenty more to come as Cindy’s attacker is revealed, the Vic bursts into flames and we finally get to make Denise’s choice.
We’ll be tuning in for the rest of the week as we approach the live episode, so be sure to join us again! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and reactions!
No iPlayer drops this week as the drama continues
The heart-racing end of tonight’s episode will no doubt leave you excited to see what happens next but remember there will be no 6am episode drops on iPlayer.
Instead, you’ll have to tune in at 7:30pm every night this week – including for a special live episode on Thursday.
Michelle Collins was ‘shocked’ by identity of Cindy’s attacker
While EastEnders fans everywhere try to work out who it was that attacked Cindy Beale, Michelle Collins has teased the outcome of the storyline in question, admitting that she was ‘shocked’ by the identity of the culprit.
‘I was [shocked], she said. ‘I actually thought I knew who it was, but I can see why they’ve done it.’
‘There are going to be some great scenes when she finds out who it is.’
EastEnders fans ‘work out’ who Cindy confronted
EastEnders fans have wasted little time in speculating who it was that Cindy pointed the gun at during tonight’s explosive cliffhanger.
‘I Think It Was Peter’, said Rachael, while Lauren reckons it was ‘definitely Peter’ who attacked Cindy. Ravise asked the same question, writing: ‘So is Peter the one that tried to kill Cindy?’
You’ll have to tune in tomorrow to find out.
Gun showdown as Cindy confronts her ‘attacker’
Cindy Beale held a gun at the person she believes to her attacker in a dramatic ‘Doof Doof’ as a mysterious character held her missing locket in hand.
‘You’, she exclaimed as she motioned towards the person in question. But just who is it? Has she finally solved the mystery of who attacked her at Christmas?
Phil relapses as his mental health struggles escalate
Alcoholic Phil Mitchell relapsed in emotional scenes as his mental health struggles escalated. The patriarch, as viewers know, is battling depression, with his loved ones unaware of just how badly he’s struggling.
It appears that the mechanic is planning to take his own life – but will Linda, Grant and Nigel be able to locate him before he can harm himself?
Remembering Tiffany Mitchell
It’s no wonder Bianca is angry after everything that happened between Grant and wife Tiffany!
The nation’s hearts broke in 1998 when Tiffany was mowed down by Frank Butcher and died after hitting her head on the curb outside the Queen Vic.
The accident happened while she was chasing after Grant, who had taken their daughter Courtney after learning that Tiffany planned to move abroad with her.
Billy and Honey’s wedding day goes off without a hitch (ish)
Billy and Honey are happily married, which is a rarity for Walford. But if we’ve learned anything about EastEnders in the last 40 years, it means that tragedy could still strike!
But for now, here’s to the new (ish) Mrs Mitchell!
Old wounds for Bianca and Grant
Bianca has made her feelings on Grant known, with the two coming face-to-face for the first time in years as she recalled what happened to Tiffany.
A tribute to the original Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts
What better way to honour the characters of EastEnders’ past than a message from the iconic Angie Watts herself?
Played by the formidable Anita Dobson, Angie was the first landlady of the Queen Vic, and though she only appeared on the show until 1988, her impact has been on-going.
Her volatile marriage to Den Watts kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Who can forget when he served her divorce papers on Christmas Day?
Let’s hope Billy and Honey’s nuptials will be more successful!
New special EastEnders opening titles
And we’re off! The celebrations have already begun with a brand new opening title sequence. Perhaps the River Thames running red is a foreboding sign of things to come…
Just last week we got a blast from the past as EastEnders aired the original title sequence from 1985, giving us a clear look at how London has changed over the last 40 years.
When you’ve got the EastEnders anniversary live-blog at 7:30
Sneak a peek at tonight’s action with a clip
Get yourself a first look at tonight’s episode as Ian ponders his next move
Give us your thoughts!
Let us know what you make of all the big developments as and when they unfold by putting your thoughts under this tweet
EastEnders 40th anniversary week is here!
The highly-anticipated 40th anniversary of EastEnders is about to begin. Cindy Beale is determined to expose her attacker, Billy and Honey Mitchell are set to tie the knot and Grant is back to help struggling Phil.
Grab the popcorn, here we go!
MORE: Furious Ian Beale launches revenge on Cindy in EastEnders spoiler video
MORE: Old EastEnders wounds ripped open as Bianca lays into Grant
MORE: Gun-toting Cindy set to shoot attacker with the truth exposed in EastEnders
