In February 2025, EastEnders will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a groundbreaking live episode that allows viewers to influence the storyline for the first time in the show's history. During the anniversary week, fans will have the power to decide the outcome of a love story involving undisclosed characters, with the results playing out live. Executive producer Chris Clenshaw emphasized the significance of this milestone, noting that the event has been in planning for a long time and will include dramatic surprises and familiar character returns. The live episode will be broadcast from the BBC Elstree Centre, and details about the specific storylines remain tightly guarded to enhance viewer anticipation. Previous live episodes for EastEnders include the 25th and 30th anniversaries, marking this as a significant evolution in the show's interactive engagement with its audience.