Hour long EastEnders marks 40 years of drama

Best on the Box highlight for February 19th…

Tonight, in an hour-long episode of EastEnders on it’s 40th anniversary night there is a life-threatening situation in Albert Square while over at The Arches a life changing decision is being pondered.

At The Arches, a terrified Grant, Linda, and Nigel frantically try to reach Phil, pleading with him not to hurt himself. But with his world crumbling around him, Phil is convinced there’s no way out. Can his loved ones break through before it’s too late?

Meanwhile, chaos erupts at The Vic as those trapped inside fight desperately to escape. Outside, Jack and others risk everything to save their friends and neighbours while the building edges closer to collapse. As the rescue mission unfolds, the flames rise—and not everyone will make it out alive…

Denise returns to the Square to find disaster unfolding at The Vic. With Ravi and Jack both caught in the chaos, she’s forced to confront her true feelings. But when the dust settles, who will she choose?

At the end of tonight’s episode its over to the ‘Enders viewers as for the first time in the show’s history, the EastEnders viewers will be able to cast their vote on Denise’s potential suiter. Denise’s decision. You choose. Should her future be with Jack, or Ravi?

To access the vote, viewers must have a BBC Account. You can register for an account at bbc.co.uk/account, on or before 19 February 2025. The vote will officially open at 8.30pm tonight (19 February) at bbc.co.uk/eastenders, and will close at 7.10pm on Thursday 20th February so the result can be incorporated into its live episode which will broadcast at 7.30pm from BBC Elstree Centre tomorrow.

Once all votes have been cast, the vote will be independently verified and handed to the EastEnders Executive Producer, Chris Clenshaw, just before the live show. In that short amount of time, the cast and crew will disregard the losing script and quickly prepare to depict the drama on screen that reflects the decision chosen by the viewers.

As well as playing matchmaker for Denise, viewers will also have an extra treat when they cast their vote as they will be given the opportunity to make another decision which will go down in Walford’s history.

EastEnders, BBC One and the iPlayer, tonight at 7.30pm