BBC EastEnders' Christmas Day affair story is 'full circle' to soap's biggest scandal

EastEnders' star chats about show's 40th anniversary

EastEnders is preparing for another dramatic Christmas Day, with Cindy Beale (played by Michelle Collins) at the heart of the action.

Regular watchers of the BBC soap will know that Cindy has been secretly involved with her ex-stepson, Junior Knight (Micah Balfour), and their secret is about to be dramatically exposed.

However, fans have spotted a similarity to a classic episode.

The latest teaser indicates that the holiday spirit in Walford will be short-lived when George Knight's (Colin Salmon) Christmas lunch spirals into chaos as incriminating evidence of Cindy's affair lands in the wrong hands.

Cindy isn't exactly a favourite among her Albert Square neighbours, but who could be blackmailing her?

Cindy Beale is set to wreck havoc this Christmas Day in EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) opens a small present to discover a USB stick. When it's played, Cindy's secret is shockingly revealed to the Beale family, reports MyLondon.

This plot twist has led EastEnders fans to draw parallels to the notorious 'Sharongate' storyline, where Sharon Watts' (Letitia Dean) affair captivated the nation back in 1994.

Almost 30 million viewers tuned in to see the iconic Queen Vic moment when Sharon Mitchell's affair with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) was exposed by her husband Grant (Ross Kemp).

The 'Sharongate' storyline gripped the nation in 1994 (Image: BBC)

Grant pulled a shocker when he laid his hands on a taped confession of Sharon's tryst with his brother, causing a spectacle as he crashed Phil and Kathy's (Gillian Taylforth) engagement bash at the Queen Vic by airing Sharon's dirty laundry to all in attendance.

The latest shenanigans in Albert Square have spectators' jaws hitting the floor yet again, as Cindy finds herself at the centre of drama with her secret rendezvous blasted to the public courtesy of an incriminating audio message.

EastEnders enthusiasts were quick to take to social media to comment on the deja vu-inducing plot twist reminiscent of the notorious Sharongate saga from 30 years prior.

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Grant was fuming when he found out about Sharon's affair in 1994 (Image: BBC) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241210.min.js"

Social media is abuzz as one fan speculated: "Who combined Sharongate and Lauren's festive present surprise (Outing Max and Stacey's affair) to out Cindy.

"Can we get a cat fight between Kathy and Cindy then Kathy can bold patch Cindy like she did Sharon. But seriously I need to know who is behind outing Cindy."

Echoes of past betrayal rang loud for another viewer who added: "Just like Sharon Phil and Grant with the interview Michelle did with Sharon."

Sharon was left shocked when he affair was exposed by Grant Mitchell in The Queen Vic (Image: BBC)

A third post bubbled over with anticipation: "Audio played in the Vic about an affair yet again."

An enthusiastic tweet read: "Looks like we're in for a Sharongate re-run and I am totally here for it!!!!#EastEnders."

Whilst another observer underscored the anniversary aspect with: "30th Anniversary since Sharongate."

EastEnders airs Monday - Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

BBC EastEnders' Christmas Day affair story is 'full circle' to soap's biggest scandal

BBC EastEnders' Christmas Day affair story is 'full circle' to soap's biggest scandal

BBC EastEnders' Christmas Day affair story is 'full circle' to soap's biggest scandal

BBC EastEnders' Christmas Day affair story is 'full circle' to soap's biggest scandal

BBC EastEnders' Christmas Day affair story is 'full circle' to soap's biggest scandal