EastEnders cancelled TONIGHT as sports schedule chaos hits the soaps again

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

Scroll down to find out how the schedule has changed
schedule shake-up EastEnders cancelled TONIGHT as sports schedule chaos hits the soaps again
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EASTENDERS is cancelled tonight due to a schedule shake-up with sports fixtures.
Fans of the BBC soap usually tune in to watch at 7.30pm on Monday through Thursday.
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EastEnders will be off viewers' screens for tonight
Credit: BBC
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The BBC soap's schedule has been disrupted by sports fixtures
Credit: BBC
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Recent episodes have seen Karen Henthorn return as Julie Bates
Credit: BBC
However, tonight viewers will not able to check in on the residents of Albert Square.
BBC One is showing coverage of the Germany vs Spain Women's UEFA Euro semi-final.
Match of the Day begins at 7.30pm and will be airing until 10.10pm tonight.
It will be followed by the BBC News at 10 bulletin.
Four episodes a week of the long-running soap opera are shown on terrestrial TV.
However, extended sports coverage has meant that bosses were forced to make sweeping changes to the schedule.
Previously, EastEnders episodes were shown to viewers early on iPlayer due to coverage of the 2025 Wimbledon tennis tournament.
On Monday, dedicated fans instead received a double bill of EastEnders.
These instalments saw much-loved Nigel Bates return to Walford - after he previously left in emotional scenes.
Played by Paul Bradley, the 90s favourite returned to the square last year after a 26-year absence.
EastEnders legend makes a shock return just days after quitting Walford
It was soon revealed Nigel is battling early onset dementia - with childhood friend Phil Mitchell taking care of him over the next few months.
A concerned Jay Brown contacted Nigel's wife, Julie (Karen Henthorn) - who'd had no idea where he was.
Karen reprised her role following more than two decades away - and a brief voice cameo earlier this year.
After an emotional farewell, Julie took Nigel from Walford, intending to return to their home in Scotland.
Darkest soap storylines
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock... EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca's adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police. Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose. Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap's first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance. Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it's not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn't.
However, things took a frightening turn when he ran off during the journey.
With the couple back in Albert Square, Phil proposed that all three live together - to help Nigel.
But will they all be able to co-exist under one roof?
EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.