EastEnders favourite Adam Woodyatt, who has played Ian Beale on the BBC soap for almost 40 years, teased new details about the anniversary week in February 2025
Fans of EastEnders can expect “bonkers” and “brilliant” scenes this February, as the BBC soap celebrates its 40th year on air.
Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt teased huge stuff on the way, while it’s since been confirmed he is one character who will take centre stage in the big week. On February 19th 2025, the show will feature a huge week of episodes including a live special on the soap’s birthday.
There’s reportedly a devastating fire stunt on the way, with The Queen Vic set to be engulfed in flames. It appears judging by pictures from filming that a vehicle might smash into the famous pub, causing an explosion – while the BBC soap has announced nothing on this.
Given we now know two huge storylines that are set to air in the week alongside this, there could be a number of characters at risk amid rumours of a major death in the episodes. Cindy Beale’s Christmas whodunnit, that saw her attacked and left for dead, will feature in the big week.
During this week we finally find out who attacked Cindy. Not only that, but Billy Mitchell and Honey Mitchell are set to wed during the birthday episode, with the big day no doubt featuring a lot over this week.
EastEnders favourite Adam Woodyatt, who has played Ian Beale on the BBC soap for almost 40 years, teased new details about the anniversary week (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Now, Adam has told The Mirror and other press about the big episodes ahead, teasing fans there were some “bonkers” moments ahead. He also shared his shock over the storyline when he found out the scenes planned, confessing he and the cast had no idea how they were going to pull it all off.
Adam told us: “Expect everything – and a bit more! It’s honestly, the anniversary week, it’s bonkers. I think I can safely say for all of us, we picked up the scripts and said, ‘What the f—?!’ It was literally ‘How the hell are we going to do this?’ and we have. It is honestly brilliant.”
Soap boss Chris Clenshaw also shared his thoughts on the big anniversary week which is just months away. He said: “I can’t say too much, but it’s explosive. Apart from the live episode, we’ve pretty much shot most of it. It’s looking brilliant. Expect everything.”
It follows a dramatic Christmas and New Year for the show, with the next few weeks before the 40th set to be just as action-packed. There’s massive episodes planned for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day amid Eve Unwin and Suki Panesar’s wedding.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
