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EastEnders is setting the stage for an unprecedented live episode to mark its 40th anniversary celebration, complete with a sensational twist.
Come February 2025, as the BBC One soap opera commemorates 40 years of drama, it'll introduce an interactive element during the anniversary week, a first in show history, where fans will have the power to dictate the ending of a love story involving Walford's residents.
The identities of those embroiled in this high-stakes plot remain a secret, but it is certain that viewers' choices will directly influence what unfolds in the live broadcast, with the cast and crew poised to adapt their performances to reflect the public's vote on the spot.
EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw opened up about the ambitious live event, proclaiming: "The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it's a week full of drama and surprises."
He then underscored the significance of the current narrative build-up, hinting at the return of iconic characters.
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Clenshaw added: "In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week.", reports the Daily Star.
The soap's boss then revealed the groundbreaking aspect of the celebration: "This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines."
"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."
EastEnders first broadcast live back in 2010 for its 25th anniversary where it was revealed that Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) had killed Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb).
Five years later, the soap went live once more to mark its 30th anniversary with a set of five episodes that all included live elements as the 'Who Killed Lucy Beale' whodunit was revealed.
The 2015 live episode, included Tanya Branning, played by Jo Joyner, accidently calling Ian Beale by the actor's real name Adam in an iconic moment.
The 40th anniversary live episode will broadcast live from BBC Elstree Centre in February.
