EastEnders confirms no early BBC iPlayer release for key Christmas episodes
Episodes are usually uploaded to iPlayer at 6am each morning.
EastEnders has confirmed that two major episodes won't drop on BBC iPlayer this week.
The BBC soap is dishing up six doses of Walford drama over the Christmas period, and it's set to be a very eventful time for the residents.
Iconic character Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) made an emotional return after 8 years at the conclusion of today's instalment, and tomorrow we'll see her give some guidance from beyond the grave to ailing Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley).
Pat isn't alone - step-son Barry (Shaun Williamson) and Nige's first wife Debbie (Nicola Duffett) will also put in appearances.
After the ghosts of Christmas past, it's time to move onto the present and an eventful time for the Slater clan amid Zoe's (Michelle Ryan) torment and the mystery surrounding her missing children.
She has no idea that daughter Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) is on the Square (or the fact she's still alive), and while it's not exactly clear what kicks off on the big day, the police will soon be summoned.
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The two Christmas Day episodes will not land on iPlayer early, which means you'll have to endure those awkward family present exchanges, countless chocolates and a bellyful of turkey before you can see what's going on.
Fortunately, the aftermath - which airs on Boxing Day - can be streamed at 6am the next day.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press at an event for the show's festive offerings, executive producer Ben Wadey spoke about what was to come.
On the special episode surrounding Nigel Bates' (Paul Bradley) dementia journey, he said: "It just seemed really fitting as a love letter to the show, a love letter to the fans, and also an episode in the present that really tells that story of what it's like caring for somebody with dementia, especially at a period like Christmas."
"The episode worked so brilliantly, and so beautifully directed by Richard Lynn, because the whole team came together and really pulled their A game into it."
He continued: "We've got the ongoing story with Kat and Zoe... We found out last week that Jasmine is Zoe's daughter, but we revealed that a week before Christmas because there are a lot more twists and turns to come in that story. So, not all is as it seems."
There's also drama for the Beales and the Brannings, with actor Jake Wood teasing: "It's going to be explosive. I think that's one of the things about Max. He's got so much drama and history with so many characters, they've just done it brilliantly in terms of pacing of when he bumps into the characters and finds out about all these secrets... just keep watching."
Read more:
- EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release
- EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode
- EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings
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Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
