EastEnders 40th anniversary week: 'Shocking twists', deadly blaze and major returns

EastEnders' 40th birthday is fast approaching with a massive week in February, including a live episode, some show-altering twists and a deadly fire leaving lives on the line

There's some epic scenes on the way on EastEnders, as the BBC soap gears up for its 40th anniversary week.

We've got one confirmed return for a soap legend, and others predicted. We also have a huge fire stunt on the way, a wedding, a live episode and a show first, with a public vote twist.

Some huge storylines take centre stage with new discoveries and twists in the big week, set to air in February. With the show's 40th anniversary being Wednesday February 19, it could well be this day they choose to go live.

There's a big whodunnit reveal on the way, and some ongoing plots continue - but what exactly has been planned for the big celebration? Details are being kept under wraps, but soap boss Chris Clenshaw promised "shocking twists" and also revealed viewers should expect the unexpected.

He said: "Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever." Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, teased it was "bonkers" and the cast didn't know how they could possibly pull it all off - but he told The Mirror they did just that! Here's all you need to know...

Live episode

The key twist unfolding in the 40th week next month is that the show is going live. The cast are rehearsing as we speak for the big live episode, while a date is not yet confirmed.

That said it's safe to assume it will be mid-week, on the show's actual birthday on February 19. Ahead of the confirmation of when it will air, something we also know that is happening on this date onscreen is Honey Mitchell and Billy Mitchell's wedding.

Plots aside, ahead of spoilers being released, the show has done other live episodes in the past. But given rumours of a massive stunt and several storylines unfolding, including a public vote, might this be their most ambitious live episode yet?

Wedding

As mentioned we have wedding bells on the way for at least one couple. On Christmas Day, Honey and Billy announced their wedding date was set for February 19th.

Of course this sent viewers into a spin knowing full well this is the show's birthday, and it's the 40th. So expect the wedding to take centre stage in the big week! Pictures from filming appeared to show some decor in the Square amid the scenes, around the live episode, being filmed.

Will there be any surprise guests or loved ones of Billy and Honey attending the big day? Will the ceremony go ahead without any drama? We will just have to wait and see!

Whodunnit reveal

What's a big episode without a dramatic bombshell or a twist being exposed? Viewers saw Cindy Beale attacked and left for dead this Christmas, with a number of suspects in the frame.

Soap boss Chris has confirmed that amid new clues being shared, we won't know who really hurt Cindy until the 40th anniversary week. Just like the last big live episode where we saw Lucy Beale's killer identified, the Beales are back in focus with another whodunnit for the latest big episodes.

We will find out who attacked Cindy and why. Chris teased: "Our 40th anniversary storylines have been in the works for some time, but even at the very start of planning, we knew that we wanted to reveal the identity of Cindy’s attacker as part of this.

"Many characters currently find themselves in the line of question, but over the coming weeks, the audience can look out for clues themselves to who may be the culprit. Cindy’s attacker reveal is just one of many stories we have planned for the anniversary as it is set to be a week of explosive drama for the audience to remember."

Huge returns

We recently had the comebacks of Nigel Bates, Bianca Jackson and David Wicks over past months, and now we've got Grant Mitchell also returning for the 40th build-up. There's theories suggesting more big returns are on the way, with speculation Nigel's wife Julie and daughter Clare could make a comeback.

There's also theories with it being the 40th that some iconic residents could be back, including the Slaters and the Mitchells. We will just have to wait and see on this front!

Meanwhile, Ross Kemp teased of Grant's return: "I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary. EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour. 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."

Viewer vote

Another big twist for the 40th and an EastEnders first will see the viewers able to make a big decision. They will effectively alter a storyline and change the course of two characters' lives.

It's been announced that fans will get to decide who Denise Fox will end up with, amid her love triangle with Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati. The result of the public vote will be announced during the live episode.

Chris Clenshaw said: "We’re all so excited to give our audience their first ever chance to decide how one of our big storylines plays out. Their votes will determine whether Denise picks Jack or Ravi, with the outcome being revealed as part of our live episode. There is a lot to come over the next few weeks for all three involved, so it’ll be extremely exciting to see which way the audience choose to take the story!"

Queen Vic blaze

Another major twist that has yet to be confirmed by the BBC soap despite some major hints is The Queen Vic fire. Reports late last year revealed the soap would air a devastating fire, that would tear through and destroy the famous pub.

It's thought a number of lives will be on the line as the pub bursts into flames, with it thought a car smashes into the side of the building. No details have been revealed yet but pictures from filming obtained by other sites showed the pub with smashed windows, and a car smashed into it.

It looked like something major had gone down, with reports stating it would be a blaze. Viewers have already predicted the car outside of the pub belongs to Reiss Colwell as it matches one he drives.

Huge storylines

There are a handful of storylines right now that could well conclude or take new turns for the 40th anniversary. Nigel has just confirmed his dementia diagnosis to Yolande Trueman, after he walked out on wife Julie before Christmas.

With her desperate to find him and his condition soon to be revealed, will the 40th pave the way for some sad scenes as Nigel reveals all and is reunited with his family? Then there's Phil Mitchell, who is battling loneliness.

With fans believing Grant's return to the show for the 40th will see him helping his brother, might this be a key storyline during the big week as Phil continues to struggle?

Then there's killer Reiss who has kidnapped Bianca Jackson, after Bianca learned he'd murdered his wife Debbie Colwell in her care home. Reiss' pregnant fiancée Sonia Fowler, Bianca's sister, is currently in prison for the crime.

But given the possible car crash and time running out for Reiss, will the truth all come out during the 40th? Will this be the moment Reiss faces his comeuppance, and Sonia and Bianca return?

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 .