EastEnders

Nigel Bates - wearing a suit - sits beside Pat Evans - wearing a bright pink blazer - in The Queen Vic in EastEnders. There are glasses, cigarettes, a lighter and an ashtray on the table in front of them.

EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?

Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell, Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell, Alan Ford as Stevie Mitchell, Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell, Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell, Roland Manookian as Teddy Mitchell, and Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell pose in front of the Arches exterior set for EastEnders.

EastEnders airs tragic exit scenes for Mitchell family member in early BBC iPlayer release

Tiffany, in a black vest, stands beside Grant, who is wearing a black shirt, staring into the camera with a blunt expression in EastEnders

EastEnders icon Martine McCutcheon reveals she would return as Tiffany if asked – over 25 years since character was killed off

Harry, wearing a blue fur-lined coat, marches through the market in EastEnders

EastEnders airs harrowing Harry Mitchell overdose scenes after Teddy's sentencing in BBC iPlayer release

Sam and Nigel chat on a sofa in EastEnders

EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release

Max Branning looks over his shoulder, behind him is Kat Moon placing her hand on Zoe Slater's shoulder. The trio are tinted in red, with the Queen Vic's Christmas decorations behind them in EastEnders.

EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode

Silhouette of Teddy Mitchell in front of The Queen Victoria in EastEnders

EastEnders confirms major Mitchell to exit in upcoming episodes – 18 months after arriving in soap

Silhouette of Sam Mitchell in EastEnders stood in front of The Queen Vic

EastEnders icon reveals tragic news in dramatic early BBC iPlayer release

Albert Square sign in the snow with a large Christmas tree behind in EastEnders

EastEnders favourite who exited after 11 years won't rule out a surprise return – or joining a rival soap

Linda Carter sits with her arms crossed and a grumpy expression in a bright pink coat in EastEnders

EastEnders confirms British comedy legend cast in 2026 storyline for Linda Carter

Lacey Turner, Balvinder Sopal, Kellie Bright, Letitia Wright, Diane Parish, Gillian Taylforth, Charlie Clements and Danny Dyer with an RT Comment badge In the right hand corner

Every EastEnders Christmas episode ranked ahead of another eventful yuletide in Walford.

A woman's silhouette in front of a snowy Walford scene from EastEnders.

EastEnders airs icon's unsettling return to Walford amid heartache in early BBC iPlayer release

Linda Carter sits with her arms crossed and a grumpy expression in a bright pink coat in EastEnders

6 EastEnders spoilers: Linda Carter and Max Branning stage explosive returns as Zoe Slater is trapped in a blaze

Nigel Bates - wearing a suit - sits beside Pat Evans - wearing a bright pink blazer - in The Queen Vic in EastEnders. There are glasses, cigarettes, a lighter and an ashtray on the table in front of them.

EastEnders advance Christmas spoilers confirm police swarm Albert Square – and reveal Nigel's special episode date

Kim looks angrily at Howie in EastEnders

EastEnders airs devastating Kim Fox scenes as Howie Danes bombshell implodes in BBC iPlayer release

EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings

Zoe and Anthony dressed in black and beige coats look upwards in a group of people towards the Christmas lights in EastEnders

EastEnders reveals Anthony Trueman's disturbing secret as Zoe Slater falls into his trap in BBC iPlayer release

Anthony - wearing a blue suit - looks down on Howie - in a purple suit - in EastEnders

EastEnders' Anthony Trueman makes shocking realisation about thieving Howie Danes in BBC iPlayer release

Paul Bradley as Nigel Bates turns to his right while seated in Kathy's Cafe in EastEnders.

EastEnders star reveals return of third iconic '90s character for Nigel Bates's special episode

Jake Wood poses in a navy suit as Max Branning against a grey background in a promo photo for EastEnders.

EastEnders star confirms Max Branning return date and teases "jam-packed" flashforward episode

Teddy Mitchell sits in court in a blue suit in EastEnders

5 EastEnders spoilers: Teddy Mitchell receives verdict in murder trial as Sam stands accused of being Zoe's tormentor

Kim Medcalf stands outside Walford East tube station as Sam Mitchell in a promo photo for EastEnders.

EastEnders confirms cancer diagnosis story for Sam Mitchell as actress Kim Medcalf returns for "important" storyline

Lauren Beale clutches her chest in disbelief while staring at her laptop in EastEnders

EastEnders' Lauren Beale makes guilt-ridden confession after stealing charity money in BBC iPlayer release

EastEnders legend Ross Kemp reveals "alternate reality" after overnight Grant Mitchell fame – and the advice his dad gave him

Linda Carter wearing a flowery blazer and pink blouse against a white background in EastEnders

EastEnders confirms return date for Linda Carter – and teases unexpected ally amid fire drama

Zoe Slater frowns in the Queen Vic in EastEnders

EastEnders airs shock passion for Zoe Slater following intriguing tormenter twist in BBC iPlayer release

EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job

A tense conversation between Jasmine and Cindy in EastEnders

EastEnders' Cindy Beale fears for her life as sinister Jasmine Fisher lurks in the shadows in BBC iPlayer release

Max Branning, Nigel Bates, Sam Mitchell, Pat Evans and Cindy Beale in a snowy Albert Square scene in EastEnders

EastEnders 2025 Christmas preview: Four major returns as Max Branning faces off with Cindy Beale

Anthony stands over Howie in Harry's Barn in EastEnders

5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Howie Danes and Anthony Trueman at war as Zoe Slater accuses one of her own