06-02-2025
EastEnders stars to take over two BBC shows for 40th anniversary
EastEnders cast members, past and present, are to star in celebrity versions of two BBC shows in celebration of the soap's 40th anniversary.
Actor Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, and Michelle Collins, who stars as his ex-wife Cindy, will take on an Albert Square-themed quiz in Celebrity Bridge Of Lies.
They will also be joined by Micah Balfour, who plays Junior Knight, and Molly Rainford, who portrays his half-sister Anna, for the quiz show, which will be hosted by former star of the soap, Ross Kemp.
All four of the characters are involved in the ongoing Who Attacked Cindy? storyline, with the culprit set to be revealed during the soap's 40th anniversary week.
Elsewhere, former cast members, Danielle Harold (Lola Pearce) and Max Bowden (Ben Mitchell) will head to the Cotswolds in a special episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Harold and Bowden will go head-to-head on the show in an attempt to make the most money at auction, guided by Road Trip experts, Hettie Jago and Ishy Khan.
Kemp is set to reprise the role of Grant Mitchell and will present the BBC One documentary special, EastEnders: 40 Years On The Square.
The raft of programming for the show's anniversary also includes a 45-minute interview special, hosted by Joe Swash.
📢 BBC Three is set to air an #EastEnders 40th anniversary interview special hosted by Joe Swash
EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In will look at some of the explosive storylines taking place in the show's anniversary week 🎉
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— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) January 31, 2025
Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler), who announced her departure from the soap last week is among the stars who will feature in the special, titled EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In.
As part of the celebrations a live episode will air where viewers will have the power to decide whether Diane Parish's character, Denise Fox, reunites with her estranged husband Jack Branning, played by Scott Maslen, or her secret lover Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip airs on BBC Two at 7pm on Friday January 14.
Celebrity Bridge Of Lies airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.50pm on Saturday February 15.
A special hour-long episode of EastEnders will air on the actual anniversary, Wednesday February 19, followed by a full live episode on February 20.
