EastEnders anniversary: 40 years of affairs, faked deaths, and sisters who are really mothers
The goings on in Albert Square, Walford, have had viewers hooked since the first episode of EastEnders aired in February 1985. As the soap turns 40, here's a look back at some of the most shocking, explosive and poignant moments. Happy birthday, EastEnders!
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Get outta my pub! Ross Kemp (left) as Grant Mitchell, Barbara Windsor as matriarch Peggy, and Steve McFadden as Phil. Pic: BBC/Adam Pensotti
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Anita Dobson as Angie Watts and Leslie Grantham as Dirty Den. Pic: BBC 1986
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Todd Carty as Mark Fowler, telling parents Pauline and Arthur about his HIV diagnosis. Pic: BBC 1991
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Martin McCutcheon as Tiffany and Ross Kemp as Grant. Pic: BBC/Brian Ritchie 1998
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Pam St Clement as Pat, Barbara Windsor as Peggy and Mike Reid as Frank. Pic: BBC/Adam Pensotti 2000
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Natalie Cassidy as Sonia, unexpectedly giving birth at home. Pic: BBC/ Adam Pensotti 2000
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Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell: Pic: BBC 2001
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Michelle Ryan as Zoe and Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater. Pic: BBC/Adam Pensotti
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Kacey Ainsworth as Little Mo and Alex Ferns as Trevor. Pic: BBC 2001
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Martin Kemp as Steve Owen. Pic: BBC
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No, not Atomic Kitten, but a trio who were equally as big in the noughties: Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). Pic: BBC 2005
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Charlie Brooks as Janine, Shaun Williamson as Barry. Pic: EastEnders/YouTube
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Charlie Clements as Bradley, Lacey Turner as Stacey and Jake Wood as Max. Pic: BBC/ Adam Pensotti 2007
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June Brown as Dot Cotton. Pic: Alamy 1991
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Don Gilet as Lucas and Diane Parish as Denise. Pic: BBC 2010
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Danny Dyer as Mick Carter, Linda Henry as Shirley Carter. Pic: BBC/ Jack Barnes 2014
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Hetti Bywater as Lucy Beale. Pic: BBC 2015
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Peak Peggy: Barbara Windsor as the Queen Vic queen on her wedding day to Frank (Mike Reid) in 1999. Pic: PA
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Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, who played sisters Ronnie and Roxy, at the 2014 National Television Awards. Pic: PA
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Danielle Harold as Lola Pearce, Jamie Borthwick as Jay Mitchell. Pic: BBC
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![Eastenders at 40: Bradley Branning [Charlie Clements], Stacey Branning [Lacey Turner], Max Branning [Jake Wood] on Christmas Day 2007. Pic: BBC/ Adam Pensotti 2007](https://i0.wp.com/www.nowworldview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/skynews-eastenders-40th-anniversary_6831838.jpg?w=1170&ssl=1)
