BBC EastEnders: When did it begin and will it ever end?
The soap opera is also one of the most popular in the UK, standing among other TV titans like Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Whether you are a seasoned fan or someone just getting into the programme, you may be interested in learning more about this British institution.
When did EastEnders start and what is the longest-running soap opera in the UK?
EastEnders came on the scene much later than its rivals, first airing on February 19, 1985, according to the BBC.
The Manchester-based drama Coronation Street, on the other hand, is the longest-running television soap opera in the UK, first airing in 1960.
Will EastEnders ever come to an end?
At the moment, there is no immediate indication that the BBC show will come to an end, with the programme averaging a viewership of around five million.
The Irish News states that it is also the most-watched show on iPlayer, securing its position in the broadcaster's roster of shows.
How to watch every episode of EastEnders
Those wanting to watch every episode of EastEnders from 1985 onwards may have a tricky time.
Episodes from 2008 to the current day can be accessed on BBC iPlayer, while those wanting to watch a limited number of installations before this time can do so on platforms like U and Drama on Freeview and Sky.
However, some of "the all-time greatest doof doofs, deaths and dramas" of the classic era are available in the form of compilations on iPlayer.
One fan on Reddit also recommended searching through eBay for sales of DVDs and videos.
Recommended Reading:
They said: "Search eBay on the regular as offers for full years or the whole Archive are often available for limited periods."
The user added: "This can be pricey, however, so explore what offers there are and what years you really want."
Forums may also be an option, with fans able to put out requests for older episodes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Romeo Beckham's sweet four-word message to dad after he finally gets knighthood
Sir David Beckham has shared an adorable post by his son Romeo, 22, congratulating him on receiving a knighthood - while Cruz and Brooklyn are yet to publicly break their silence Romeo Beckham has shared a sweet four-word message to his dad after it has been announced in the King's Birthday Honours List that David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood. Gone are the days Victoria will be nicknamed Posh, and she really has lived up to the moniker as Victoria, who received an OBE in 2017, also receives a new title with David's honour, and she will now be known as Lady Victoria Beckham. Each of the Beckham children are also famous, having grown up in front of the gaze of millions of fans. Although they have earned their own status' within the world of showbiz, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Beckham won't get any royal recognition due to their dad's new title. Taking to Instagram in the early hours of Saturday, June 14 Romeo shared a black and white image of him and his dad with the words "So proud of you". David then shared it to his stories. Brooklyn and Cruz are yet to publicly congratulate their dad. The news comes as the family have been locked in a feud with eldest son Brooklyn, 26. Things came to a head when Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz skipped David's 50th birthday celebrations as the drama has reportedly resulted in the couple cutting contact with the famous family. Sir David said in a statement to the PA news agency: 'Growing up in East London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. 'To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true. Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. 'I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.' Like every person who has received a knighthood, Sir David will be treated to an official ceremony. The ceremony, which often happens at Buckingham Palace, will see David kneel in front of a monarch – which can be either the King or another member of the Royal Family such as Princess Anne or Prince William – who will then touch the recipient's shoulder with a sword.
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Celebrities recognised in King's Birthday Honours list
The King's Birthday Honours celebrate individual outstanding achievements and contributions to British society. Honours are given to people involved in a range of fields, including sport, health, science and technology, education, business, and the arts and media, While Sir Gareth Southgate and Sir Sadiq Khan were names on the New Year Honours, here are some of the famous faces you might recognise that have made the new King's Birthday Honours list. Sir Gareth Southgate 🏴 Our former manager and player has been awarded a Knighthood in the King's New Year Honours List for 2025 for his services to association football 👏 — England (@England) December 30, 2024 Celebrities recognised in King's Birthday Honours list Here are some of the celebrities recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list, what honour they have received and what it is for. Georgia Harrison - Reality TV star - MBE for services to tackling online privacy and cybercrime awareness Samantha Morton - Actress - OBE for services to drama and charity Pam Duncan-Glancy - Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow Region - MBE for political and public service Penny Mordaunt - Former MP, former leader of the House of Commons and former Defence Secretary - Damehood for political and public service Rufus Norris - former director of the National Theatre - Knighthood for services to theatre Adjoa Andoh - actress - MBE for services to drama Pat Barker CBE - writer and novelist - Damehood for services to literature Claudia Winkleman - television presenter - MBE for services to broadcasting Tess Daly - television presenter - MBE for services to broadcasting Anita Dobson - actress - for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy Gary Oldman - actor - Knighthood for services to drama David Beckham - former footballer - Knighthood for services to sport and charity Virginia Wade - former tennis player - OBE - For services to tennis and charity Billy Boston - former rugby player - Knighthood for services to rugby league Luke Littler - darts player - MBE for services to darts Luke Humphries - darts player - MBE for services to darts Deta Hedman - darts player - OBE for services to darts and charity Alistair Brownlee - former triathlete - OBE for services to triathlon and charity Rachel Daly - footballer - MBE for services to association football Frank Rothwell - Oldham FC owner - OBE for services to dementia research Devon Malcolm - former cricketer - OBE for services to cricket and to diversity in cricket Steven Davies - former cricketer - MBE for services to sport David Lawrence - former cricketer - MBE for services to cricket Monica Vaughan - former Paralympian - OBE for services to sport Andy Lapthorne - wheelchair tennis star - MBE for services to tennis Natasha Jonas - boxer - MBE for services to boxing and to the community in Liverpool Michael Dunlop - motorcycle rider - MBE for services to motorcycle racing Trish Johnson - golfer - MBE for services to women's golf Christine Still - BBC gymnastics commentator - MBE for services to gymnastics Stephen Lambert - television producer - OBE for services to television Roger Daltrey - leader singer of The Who - Knighthood for services to music and charity Debbie Crosbie - chief executive of Nationwide - Damehood for services to financial services Roisin Currie - chief executive of Nationwide of Greggs - CBE for services to hospitality Dana Strong - group chief executive of Sky - CBE for her services to business and media Clare Barclay - chief executive of Microsoft UK - Damehood for services to business, technology and leadership Lyssa McGowan - chief executive of Pets At Home - OBE for her services to retail Elaine Paige - West End star - Damehood for services to music and charity How does the British honours system work? Any member of the public or an official body can nominate someone for an honour. UK nationals and citizens of 15 Commonwealth 'realms', of which the King is head of state, are eligible for nomination. People living or working overseas, whose achievements were made in another country or in the UK and have a significant international element, can be nominated too. Nominations are submitted to the Cabinet Office's Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which oversees the honours system. A group of 10 independent honours committees, each covering a specialist subject area such as sport or health, consider nominations. King Charles ultimately decides who is recognised in the Birthday Honours list (Image: Temilade Adelaja/PA Wire) The recommendations of these groups of independent experts and senior civil servants are passed on to the Prime Minister and, ultimately, the King for approval. There are two sets of honours per year, at New Year and in June on the King's official birthday. Once all recipients have been decided and checked, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood at St James's Palace arranges investitures for the presentation of medals. These ceremonies, held about 30 times a year at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and, occasionally, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, and are hosted by senior royals. The most senior ranks of the Order of the British Empire are Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) and Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE). Recommended reading: The order's ranks, after Knighthood or Damehood, are Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE). Other honours include Companion of Honour (CH), British Empire Medal (BEM), Royal Victorian Order (RVO), Order of the Bath and Order of St Michael and St George. There is also Royal Red Cross (RRC), King's Police Medal (KPM), King's Fire Service Medal (KFSM) and King's Ambulance Service Medal (KAM).
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Dave Myers' widow warned star not to fall in love despite his 'generous heart'
Dave Myers, who with Si King was part of the Hairy Bikers, married Liliana Orzac in 2011 after the pair met in Romania when he was filming the famous series for the BBC Hairy Biker Dave Myers had "such a generous heart" and "so much love to give," his grieving widow has said. Liliana admitted she was "helpless" to fall in love with the TV chef after she met him when he was filming The Hairy Bikers ' Cookbook in Romania. However, she said she fought to "warned him (Dave) not to fall in love" with her because she felt they "were from different worlds". She was a single mum with two children, working long hours at a modest hotel in Maramures, Romania while Dave, then 47, was a popular face on TV, whose programme was about to attract millions of viewers. Yet, the chemistry was there and, within two years, Liliana moved to the UK to live with Dave. "I understood that he was a truly special person, full of warmth, wisdom and spark. I knew we were developing strong feelings for each other, but I warned him not to fall in love with me. There were too many obstacles stacked against us. We were from different worlds and I was a single mother with two children to think of: my son Sergiu, 16, and my daughter Iza, ten," Liliana said. Yet, the couple tied the knot in 2011 in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in front of 150 guests. Marriage bliss was rocked, though, in 2022 when Dave was diagnosed with cancer. The popular TV presenter died in February 2024 with Si by his side. Liliana added: "We'd hold hands and cry, sometimes unable to move or talk, just despairing at the unfairness of it all. I knew so well the depth of Dave's pain: the desperation, the helplessness, the anger. "Desperation for the loss of the peace and safety we'd both worked so hard for and would never get back. Helplessness in the face of this invisible enemy we'd been told was going to conquer us, no matter what we did or tried. "Anger at the injustice of having his life cut short and for being dragged through all this pain, the hospital appointments and the invasive treatments, knowing there was no way out." The mum has a new book out, called Adapted from Dave And Me, in which the widow shares her journey from meeting Dave to his tragic demise. In it, she recalls how Dave fancied her in Romania - but she didn't realise. In her interview with the Daily Mail, Liliana said: "I kept my guard up and treated what we had as a friendship, but Dave exuded so much charm and happiness that I gradually realised how much had been lacking in my life. I'd never known anyone with so much vivacity, so much love to give and such a generous heart. "It was impossible not to like Dave Myers. And, so it turned out for me, impossible not to fall in love with him, either. Despite my warnings, both of us were helpless to it. So in 2007, I moved to the UK with my daughter. My son stayed behind to finish his exams and came a year later."
