EastEnders confirms airdate of 40th anniversary live episode

EastEnders has announced the air date for its special live episode celebrating its 40th anniversary, which will include a unique interactive twist.

The episode is set to air on Thursday, February 20, at 7:30pm.

It will be preceded by a one-hour special episode on Wednesday, 19 February, after which a public vote will open to decide the outcome of Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) love story.

Fans will have the chance to choose between Jack and Ravi as Denise’s love interest, with the result being incorporated into the live episode. Voting will commence on the EastEnders website at 8:30pm on February 19 and will close at 7:10pm on February 20. A BBC account is required to take part in the vote.

After the voting ends, the results will be verified independently and shared with EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw just before the live show begins. In that brief window, the cast and crew will set aside the losing script and quickly adapt to portray the drama based on the viewers’ choice.

In addition to playing matchmaker for Denise, viewers will also be given the opportunity to make another decision which will go down in Walford’s history.

Other highlights for the anniversary include a documentary special titled EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, hosted by Ross Kemp, which will explore the show’s influential moments and ground-breaking storylines over the years.

BBC Three will also offer viewers an exclusive look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama that week.