To officially mark 40 years since EastEnders first aired on BBC One, the whole week of episodes will take place over one day, with a special hour-long episode transmitting on Wednesday 19 February, followed by a full live episode on Thursday 20 February
“It was a privilege to take another trip back to Walford to reunite with my EastEnders family ahead of the 40th anniversary. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for the viewers, but the week is full of explosive drama.” — Joe Swash
Published: January 31, 2025 — In celebration of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, EastEnders is set to air a special programme looking at the explosive storylines that are taking place in the show’s highly anticipated 40th anniversary week.
The special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – will be hosted by actor and presenter, Joe Swash, who is best known to the EastEnders viewers as Mickey Miller. Viewers will be given behind the scenes insights into Cindy Beale’s attacker reveal, Denise, Jack and Ravi’s interactive love triangle, and will also reveal exclusive details relating to the live episode by talking to some of the actors directly involved including Jacqueline Jossa, Natalie Cassidy and Patsy Palmer.
Whilst re-watching their alter egos, some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the drama will share their possible theories on the outcomes of their storylines, whilst offering their thoughts on taking part in the live episode, and how it feels to be involved as the show reaches its monumental milestone.
The 45-minute special will air during the show’s anniversary week, and will also include a special musical performance from a well-known EastEnders superfan.
EastEnders Revealed: The Lock-in is a BBC Studios production for BBC Three, BBC One and iPlayer. Commissioned by BBC Three Head of Content Nasfim Haque, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor Danielle Scott-Haughton and Digital Commissioning Executive, Milly Chu.
Speaking on his involvement, presenter Joe Swash, said: “It was a privilege to take another trip back to Walford to reunite with my EastEnders family ahead of the 40th anniversary. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for the viewers, but the week is full of explosive drama, and it was great to hear from the cast themselves about what we can expect from the week.”
Nasfim Haque, Head of Content, BBC Three added: “There is huge excitement for the EastEnders 40th anniversary, and we’re pleased to once again offer viewers on BBC Three an exclusive insight into the anniversary storylines, as we have done previously with some of the biggest storyline moments in the show.”
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, EastEnders added: “The 40th anniversary is a monumental occasion for EastEnders, and since we started announcing some of our plans, we have seen an overwhelming amount of speculation around possible theories of what’s to come in the anniversary week. This anniversary special show will give the audience a chance to hear from the actors involved in some of those explosive storylines as they share their thoughts and feelings of being involved in its historic milestone.”
Source
BBC Three
