This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on iPlayer.
Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) has been declared dead by Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) – but not everything is as it seems.
After spending months in captivity, the Walford legend was told by her hostage taker that she must take her own life earlier this week, as he was never going to set her free.
As poor, tormented B’ began to realise that this was the end, Reiss dashed off to the hospital where after discovering his fiancée Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) was having issues with her pregnancy.
She’d suffered a premature rupture of her membrane, sparked during an argument with her cousin Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) about Bianca’s guilty plea for a murder that she didn’t commit.
As viewers know, she was forced to make the confession tape to cover for the real killer – Reiss.
Little did he realise, during his rush off to the ward, he forgot to secure the storage lock-up that she’d called home since November.
When Sonia returned home, Reiss insisted that she rest up in bed so that he could sneak off and ensure Bianca had gone through with his suicide plot.
However, in a shock twist, his car broke down on Edward Road and he couldn’t get there.
Sonia, meanwhile, had been visited by Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) and was convinced to delete Bianca’s footage so that she could move on with her life.
Although she didn’t believe that her sister was capable of being a cold-blooded murderer, the time had come to accept that her sister knew too many damning details about the death so must have been responsible.
As Son’ hovered over the delete window, she clocked a distinctive dolls house in the background of the video… the very same toy that Reiss had apparently bought in a charity shop for their unborn daughter’s nursery.
When he returned home, she put on a brave front and questioned him about its origins. His story was flawed, and she knew then that something was wrong.
Finally, half a year on from smothering his comatose wife Debbie with a pillow, he admitted to his crimes.
Sonia was horrified and tried to escape, but he blocked her exit and forced her to listen to him.
He went on to explain that he was protecting Bianca after she covered for him, but had since died. At this point, Sonia began to scream for help in the hope of alerting her uncle Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) next door.
It seemed that she would never make it out alive, but at the eleventh hour, Bianca darted in – having broken free from the lock-up – and smashed him over the head with a vase.
Freedom at last.
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here’s what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
The women headed next door and pleaded with Jack for help, as they fell into Denise and Chelsea Fox’s (Diane Parish and Zaraah Abrahams) arms.
There was one final issue though, as when Jack went to investigate, Reiss was gone and the back door was wide open.
Sonia and Bianca began to break down as they looked at the floor where his lifeless body had vanished.
Where has Reiss gone, and will he be found?
In next week’s scenes, as the soap gears up to celebrate 40 years on air, the sisters begin to adapt to a new normal in the wake of the incident.
Neither of them are aware that Reiss is lurking in the shadows, and preparing for one final showdown with Bianca!
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