EastEnders fans have been left echoing the same sentiment following a recent revelation regarding the soap’s Christmas and New Year’s programming schedule.
Viewers who have grown accustomed to watching new episodes ahead of their broadcast time on iPlayer will be disappointed to learn that the Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day episodes will not be available early on the streaming platform.
In line with last year’s policy, the two Christmas Day episodes will only be accessible on One, airing at 7:30 pm and 10:35 pm, respectively, leaving fans to endure a suspenseful three-hour wait after what promises to be a dramatic cliffhanger.
Additionally, the Boxing Day episode will be released on iPlayer at the same time as its 8:30 pm broadcast on One. The highly anticipated New Year’s Day episode will premiere at 10 pm on both One and iPlayer.
Expressing their thoughts on X, one fan stated: “omfg no early release on christmas day, boxing day or new year’s day? ? ? something big looms.”, reports .
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EastEnders will air two episodes on Christmas Day (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Another viewer concurred: “Something bigs happening on Christmas Day then.” One spectator eagerly anticipates the Christmas drama, exclaiming: “Christmas Day is going to be an absolute s**t show and I cannot WAIT. #.”
Meanwhile, another fan expresses their curiosity about the upcoming episodes, remarking: “Slightly still obsessed that Boxing Day isn’t going to be early release too. This whole festive period is actually such a mystery and I’m nervous but very excited. Something big is happening over Crimbo and definitely New Year Day #.”
The latest instalment of the beloved soap (December 23), available on iPlayer, brought high tension as Elaine Knight, played by Harriet Thorpe, confronted Michelle Collins character Cindy Beale with a damning ultimatum. This showdown followed Cindy’s admission of her affair with the younger Junior Knight, embodied by Micah Balfour all while harbouring feelings for his father, George Knight, portrayed by Colin Salmon.
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Cindy Beale and Elaine Knight are set for a Christmas showdown (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
A tempest of emotions, Elaine was torn between rage and the desire for revenge against Cindy, her longtime adversary. Cindy’s pleas fell on deaf ears; Elaine, the fierce landlady of the Queen Vic, felt she owed her rival nothing.
In a twist during a family meal at the Knight household where Elaine had planned to reveal all in a speech, George unexpectedly expressed gratitude for the year’s challenges, owing to their transformation into a newfound happiness. Ridden with guilt, Elaine makes a secretive visit to Cindy.
She admits to withholding her confession from George, offering Cindy a chance to escape repercussions but only if she leaves Walford forever and cuts all ties with George. The question looms: What decision will Cindy make?
airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on One and available to stream on iPlayer from 6am