EastEnders fans to decide what will happen in love story as BBC bosses hand power to viewers for the first time
EastEnders is set to thrill fans with its first live episode in nearly a decade, as part of the soap's 40th-anniversary celebrations, despite previous live mishaps. The BBC has confirmed this exciting development. The beloved soap has dabbled with live episodes before, notably in 2010 for its 25th anniversary when viewers were left gobsmacked as it was revealed that Stacey Slater, portrayed by Lacey Turner, was the killer of Archie Mitchell, played by Larry Lamb.
In another daring move in 2015, EastEnders aired five episodes featuring live segments during the gripping Who Killed Lucy Beale plot. However, it wasn't without its hiccups, as actress Jo Joyner, who plays Tanya Branning, accidentally called Ian Beale by his actor's name 'Adam' on air.
This time around, the stakes are even higher with a live twist that will give fans the unprecedented chance to influence the direction of a storyline, as reported by the Mirror. Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw shared: "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."
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He added: "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. 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," reports Birmingham Live.
Executives are tight-lipped about the live special's exact details, yet Chris teased: "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."
While the specific characters embroiled in the storyline remain a mystery, their destiny is set to be controlled by viewers. The dramatic conclusion will unfold in real-time during the episode aired live.
