EastEnders had paid tribute to two Albert Square icons – Pauline and Arthur Fowler – ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary.
The BBC soap celebrates a whopping four decades on air next week, and it would be wrong to mark the occasion without recognising the talented original cast who launched the phenomenon back in 1985.
Amongst the 20 original Walford residents were seasoned actors Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher, famed for roles in Are You Being Served? and Dixon of Dock Green.
The pair, alongside teenage children Michelle and Mark (Susan Tully and David Scarboro), plus Pauline’s elderly mother Lou Beale (Anna Wing), cemented the Fowler family as one of the show’s most iconic.
In the very first episode, Pauline consults Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton) about her pregnancy, and a few months later she gave birth to Martin (now James Bye).
He’s now the sole remaining adult member of the family left on the show, alongside adoptive son Arthur Jnr and daughter Hope.
In tonight’s episode, Martin and his children harked back to a storyline from 1989, when Arthur Snr appeared on the fictional gameshow Cat and Mouse.
Pauline signed her husband up for the TV appearance, and a few weeks later the residents gathered in The Queen Vic to watch his winning performance.
Last week, we saw Martin tell girlfriend Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) that he wished that he still had a copy of the episode so that he could remember his late dad.
She put her thinking cap on, and managed to track down someone who had uploaded the episodes online.
To her dismay, Martin’s ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) – who has been harbouring her feelings for him – suggested that they meet in the pub, like their nearest and dearest had done 36 years earlier, to watch it.
Ian and Kathy Beale (Adam Woodyatt and Gillian Taylforth) were heart-warmed by the sight of their much-missed family on screen, whilst Martin looked tearful at hearing his dad’s voice again.
His step-daughter Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) was in disbelief at her dad being name checked by the show’s host Dave Right (Neil McCaul), whilst Arthur Jnr finally got to see his namesake.
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?
Reflective on Arthur’s breakdown in 1986 – which was recently mirrored in scenes with Ian – Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) was left with food for thought concerning her ex-husband Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) mental health.
Ruby got word that Zack Hudson (James Farrar) was having trouble getting her infant son Roman to sleep, and as a result she had to leave early.
As the remaining locals made their excuses and left, Martin was left alone with Stacey by his side. She was clearly smitten at the chance to spend some time together.
With a sense of nostalgia in the air, will we finally see Martin and Stacey reunite in next week’s huge week?
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