On 19 February 1985, 13 million viewers tuned into the first episode of EastEnders, which saw Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher), Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) force their way into Reg Cox’s (Marc Tufano) flat to find him near death.

Fast-forward to now and the residents of Walford are still bringing the drama, and next month sees the show reach a milestone few TV shows can dream of – its 40th anniversary.

As it celebrates the big Four-Oh, the BBC soap is marking the occasion in seriously spectacular fashion.

From a viewer vote, to big returns and a live episode, here is everything we know so far…

What date is EastEnders’ 40th anniversary?

EastEnders’ official 40th birthday falls on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

However, rather than contain the celebrations to just one episode, soap bosses have a week of special instalments planned.

‘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,’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw says.

What will happen during EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week?

A live episode

It wouldn’t be a true EastEnders milestone anniversary without a live episode, would it?

Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.

The episode that will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to have their say and vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors then having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…

Denise Fox decides

With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.

‘There is a lot to come over the next few weeks for all three involved, so it’ll be extremely exciting to see which way the audience choose to take the story!’ says executive producer Chris Clenshaw.

Details of how viewers can vote will be revealed in due course.

Grant Mitchell returns

​​Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th anniversary.

Son to one of Walford’s most loved matriarchs Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and the brother of soap stalwart Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Grant was involved in many of EastEnders’ most memorable storylines during the 90s, including the infamous ‘Sharongate’..

While little is yet known about what brings him back to Walford, we know that his brother Phil is struggling, his ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is dating his long lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) and his childhood friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) is back in town and dealing with a dementia diagnosis.

Whatever happens, Grant’s return visit home is bound to be unmissable.

Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed

Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.