Some decades-old wounds are ripped open during EastEnders’ 40th anniversary as foes Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) come face-to-face this week.
Grant recently returned to Walford to help support brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) through his mental health crisis, while Bianca has made several guest appearances in the BBC soap over the last year.
Both Grant and Bianca called Walford home back in the 1990s, when Grant was married to Bianca’s best friend Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon).
Tiffany was mowed down by Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) on New Year’s Eve in 1998 during a blazing row with Grant.
Having previously failed to escape their toxic marriage upon uncovering evidence of Grant’s affair with her mother Louise Raymond (Carol Harrison) weeks earlier, Grant found out about her fresh attempt to flee to Spain with daughter Courteney.
As a furious Grant snatched Courteney, a distraught Tiffany ran after them and straight into the path of Frank’s car, and she died as her helpless friends and family watched on.
Bianca – who had long hated Grant – was heartbroken by Tiffany’s death, and went on to name her daughter after her late best friend.
This week, Bianca’s sister Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) tries to restore some normality to their lives following their ordeals at the hands of Sonia’s killer fiancé Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman).
With Reiss still on the loose, Bianca initially shuts down Sonia’s attempts to get her to come to Honey and Billy Mitchell’s (Emma Barton and Perry Fenwick) wedding with her.
After relenting, the pair join the celebrations, but Bianca is less than impressed to run into Grant, with a classic EastEnders row ensuing.
There are even more explosive scenes ahead during anniversary week, however, when a blast rips through Honey and Billy’s reception at the Queen Vic.
The lives of several beloved characters will be left hanging in the balance, as the drama reaches a head with a special live episode on Thursday.
‘It’s going to be full on!’ says Emma Barton, who plays Honey. ‘Dramatic, beautiful and sad. It’s a week of episodes not to be missed.’
EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week airs from Monday 17 February on BBC One and iPlayer.
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