EastEnders to air live episode where viewers can choose outcome in historic first

The soap will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special episode in February

EastEnders will broadcast a live episode to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year – with an interactive twist.

The forthcoming live special will be the first time EastEnders has filmed a live installment since the show’s 30th anniversary in 2015, in which Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) discovered his son Bobby (Elliot Carrington) had killed his sister Lucy (Hetti Bywater).

For the 2024 live episode, EastEnders writers will give the power to viewers and allow audiences to determine the outcome of a love story.

EastEnders executives are yet to reveal which characters will be involved in the plot.

The experimental episode will air in February with cast and crew poised to portray whichever concluding scene is chosen by the public on the night.

In a statement, EastEnders‘ executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: “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 continued: “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.”

Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale on the ‘EastEnders’ live episode in 2015 (BBC)

Detailing how the live episode will work, Clenshaw explained: “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.”

News of the forthcoming special comes shortly after it was announced that a beloved EastEnders star would return to Albert Square for the soap’s 40th anniversary after a 10-year hiatus.

Michael French will be returning to Albert Square for the show’s 40th anniversary (BBC)

Michael French plays David Wicks, the son of Pat Butcher and Pete Beale.

During his last appearance on the soap in 2014, French’s character proposed to his childhood sweetheart Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), but missed the wedding after suffering a heart attack. Jackson – who was left at the altar alone – subsequently dumped David for the jilt and he left Walford for America.

French will return to EastEnders for multiple episodes ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary with BBC executives teasing a “dramatic” storyline for the star.

In recent months, the show has seen comebacks from Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine), Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) and Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), with Tracy-Ann Oberman soon to return as Sharon Watts’ stepmother Chrissie Watts.

Discussing her historic comeback, Oberman said: “Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play – a victim or a villain. She is a real fan favourite so, when [boss] Chris Clenshaw asked me to come back and revisit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance.”