Tonight:
9°c
EastEnders to screen first live episode
Ben Bailey15.09.09
TV soap EastEnders is to broadcast a live episode for the first time to mark the programme's 25th anniversary next year, it was announced today.
The 30-minute episode will crown a week of special episodes in February next year as Albert Square celebrates its milestone birthday.
Although plot details have yet to be announced, producers said the instalment will round off a major storyline in the BBC1 series.
EastEnders will follow shows such as ER, The Bill and even its arch rival Coronation Street by screening a live episode which will keep cast and crew on their toes.
The show will be broadcast from its usual home at Elstree Studios on Friday, February 19.
EastEnders' executive producer, Diederick Santer, said: "It's too early to discuss the exact storyline at this point, but viewers are assured that this live episode will bring them all the high drama and excitement they expect from EastEnders and then some.
"The episode will feature - amongst other things - the resolution to a big storyline which will keep the audience (as well as the cast and crew) guessing until the very last moment.
"Every time I think about this episode I get excited as well as a little nervous, but nonetheless we are all thrilled to be celebrating our 25 years on screen with a live episode. It's a big test for every member of the production here, and hopefully a big treat for the audience."
Reader views (5)
Diederick Santer's tenure seems to have sacrificed good actor characterisation to a series of rapid fire, meandering plotlines that wander around in confusion, or peter out into nothing. Witness the truly dreadful plot of Nick Cotton, his child and Dot. True waste of two good actresses. Phil and the Brannon sister. The talented Jo Joyner and Max. Theo and the fabulous Rudoplh Walker. Scott Maslen and Ronnie. All have had criminal storylines in the last year which were too ludicrous to have all happened in the vicinity of one small Square. Bradley and Stacey, great actors utterly wasted this last year. Worst of all, none of the plots demanded anything other than mechanical responses from the actors, they were so poor. The writing is lazy. Now the Lucas plot from Mars! Wish Santer wouldn't project his fantasies of working on say, CSI NY, for EastEnders Albert Square.
- Carolyn, London
I'll watch... if the 'secret' plot is based on Kill Bill. Could open with the enire cast gathered in the Queen Vic to celebrate... something... only to be slaughtered by Nick Cotton and Janine 
They could then run off into the East End sunset... and we could have a new serial called ' Suburbers ' ...
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK
Think they need to change Dierdrick Santer too as all he seems to be doing is ruining the show with his rubbish repetitive storylines.
- Jason, London
'A big treat for the audience...'
I'll have to take their word for it.As usual I won't be watching that depressing rubbish.
- Eddie, London
Perhaps they could really liven it up and get some decent scriptwriters and actors too.
- Bob, Cheam
