EastEnders 40th Anniversary Special: Live Episode and Interactive Twist

Image credits: BBC

The British soap opera EastEnders is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special live episode, featuring an interactive twist that allows viewers to influence the outcome of two storylines. The live episode, which aired on BBC One, featured the return of Ross Kemp as Grant Mitchell and an interactive element that enabled viewers to decide the outcome of Denise's love life and Sonia's baby name. Viewers were able to vote on the official EastEnders website, choosing between Ravi and Jack for Denise's love interest, and between Julia and Toni for Sonia's baby name.

The interactive element was a landmark first for the soap, and fans were excited to have their say on the outcome of the storylines. The vote closed just 20 minutes before the live episode started, adding to the excitement and anticipation. The live episode was a huge success, with fans taking to social media to share their thoughts and reactions to the interactive twist. The episode also featured the return of Angie Watts, who appeared as a vision to help Sharon, and the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion, which left the residents of Albert Square in shock.

In addition to the live episode, the BBC also released a range of classic EastEnders episodes and spin-offs on iPlayer, featuring some of the soap's most iconic characters and storylines. The special episodes were a treat for fans, who were able to relive some of the soap's most memorable moments. The 40th anniversary celebrations also included a range of other special episodes and features, including a documentary about the soap's history and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the live episode.

Other TV highlights for the evening included the finale of The Vanishing, a hospital documentary on Channel 4, and a business reality show on BBC One, where teams competed to create dishes to entice the general public. There was also a range of other TV shows and movies available to watch, including the coming-of-age sci-fi movie Vesper, and the classic comedy The Ladykillers. The evening's TV schedule was packed with something for everyone, and fans of EastEnders were treated to a special and unforgettable night of entertainment.

The interactive element of the live episode was a huge success, and fans were excited to have their say on the outcome of the storylines. The use of social media to share thoughts and reactions to the episode was also a key part of the celebrations, with fans taking to Twitter and other platforms to discuss the episode. The anniversary celebrations were a huge success, and fans of EastEnders were treated to a special and unforgettable night of entertainment. Some of the other TV shows and movies available to watch included:

• Vesper (Kristina Buožytė and Bruno Samper, 2022)
• The Ladykillers (Alexander Mackendrick, 1955)
• The Vanishing (TV series)
• The Apprentice (TV series)