It’s been 40 years to the day that EastEnders started on our screens and the drama has never stopped.
From shock affairs, to surprising deaths, sweet proposals, and huge revelations, here are the 40 most iconic moments in EastEnders history.
EastEnders turns 40 – the best moments ever
40. Suki and Eve’s wedding in EastEnders (2025)
After years of living in an abusive marriage with Nish Panesar, Suki Panesar finally broke free and embraced who she really was. She fell in love with Eve Unwin and they got engaged.
Despite Nish’s best attempts to derail their big day Suki and Eve did tie the knot. In the soap’s first lesbian wedding, fans were delighted to see the pair get wed.
What happened afterwards – Nish poisoning Eve and pulling Suki over a rootop with him – aside, the pair are happy ever after now, especially as Nish is dead and gone.
39. Chantelle is murdered by Gray (2020)
Just before EastEnders went off air due to COVID in 2020, it was revealed that the seemingly perfect marriage of Chantelle and Gray Atkins was a lie. Behind closed doors he was a violent and abusive bully.
Off-screen, Chantelle and Gray were locked down together and his behaviour became worse. Chantelle made the decision to leave her husband and take the kids.
Very soon after the show came back on air, scenes of Chantelle’s death were aired. Chantelle told Gray she was leaving him and he lashed out, pushing her backwards. She fell on to the open dishwasher and was stabbed by a knife. Instead of helping her, Gray left her there to die.
He was not brought to justice until 2021, when he was finally sent to prison for killing her – and Kush Kazemi and Tina Carter.
38. Yolande’s sexual assault
In April 2024, Yolande Truman was sexually assaulted by her friend and man of God Pastor Clayton. At first she kept what happened to herself, telling only Elaine Peacock.
But eventually Yolande opened up to Patrick in a magnificent two-hander episode. The powerhouse performances of Angela Wynter and Rudolph Walker made the episode all-the-more emotive.
When more women came forward, Pastor Clayton was arrested. However he took his own life before Yolande could really get justice.
37. Ronnie and Roxy drown (2017)
On New Year’s Eve 2017 Ronnie Mitchell married the love of her life Jack Branning. Hours later she had drowned alongside sister, Roxy.
The pair were drinking Champagne and larking around at the hotel swimming pool. Roxy, who’d taken cocaine, jumped into the pool, but suffered a heart attack and drowned.
Ronnie dove in to save her sister, but the weight of her wedding dress was too much and she drowned alongside Roxy.
Neither Ronnie or Roxy actresses Samantha Womack or Rita Simmons agreed with their characters’ deaths, and fans have often called the loss of the sisters one of the biggest mistakes the show has ever made.
36. Sonia gives birth to Bex (2000)
In 2000, 15-year-old Sonia Fowler discovered she was pregnant – moments before she actually gave birth!
After a one-night stand with Martin Fowler, Sonia had no idea she was about to become a mum until she started having terrible stomach pains.
Big Mo Harris was on hand to tell her she didn’t just have a tummy bug, she was in fact in labour and helped Sonia give birth to Bex.
Although initially called Chloe and given up for adoption, Sonia regained custody when Bex’s adoptive parents were killed.
35. Linda is raped by Dean (2014)
In 2014, Linda Carter was being nice to Dean Wicks, who was struggling emotionally. Dean took her kindness the wrong way and raped her on the kitchen table in The Vic.
It took Linda months to confess to her husband, Mick, what had happened and it was only when Dean attempted to rape Roxy Mitchell that he was locked up.
Although he ended up getting off the charges of attempted rape and was paid off to leave the country.
He then made a return in 2023 and once again all of Linda’s torment surfaced. She ended up framing him for Keanu Taylor’s murder and although he was cleared of that, he eventually confessed he had raped Linda and is now serving time for it.
34. Ian is shot by a hitman (1996)
Ian Beale’s first wife Cindy cheated on him left, right and centre.
When they finally split up, he won custody of their twins Lucy and Peter.
After making Cindy’s life a misery, she hired a hitman to kill Ian, but as he was shot by a moving car, the bullet only clipped him and he survived.
Cindy was eventually caught and jailed, and supposedly died in prison during childbirth with her daughter Cindy Junior.
33. Sharon returns to The Vic (2001)
Sharon Mitchell has had more EastEnders comebacks than we’ve had hot dinners, but 2001 definitely wins for the most iconic.
The Mitchells had sold the pub to a mystery buyer, but assumed it was Mel and Steve Owen.
Peggy Mitchell’s face was a treat when Sharon emerged from behind the bar and said: “Hello Peggy, bet you never thought you’d see me again.”
Poor Peggy couldn’t even shout the legendary: “Get outta my pub,” because it wasn’t her pub anymore.
32. Danielle dies in Ronnie’s arms (2009)
Ronnie Mitchell had given birth to a daughter when she was 14, who her father, Archie had told her died.
When Danielle Jones turned up in Walford and was revealed to be Ronnie’s long-lost daughter, Archie tried to do all he could to stop the truth coming out.
Eventually Danielle revealed who she was to Ronnie, who at first didn’t believe her. But when she realised Danielle wasn’t lying, Ronnie chased her out into the street.
Sadly, just as they were about to be reunited, Janine Butcher ran Danielle over with her car. Danielle died in a distraught Ronnie’s arms.
31. Mark announces he has HIV (1996)
Viewers at home knew Mark Fowler was HIV positive, and his parents Pauline and Arthur also knew.
But the Square didn’t, until Peggy Mitchell found out and thinking it was a disease that could easily be caught, she chucked him out of her pub.
But Mark fought back and told the entire Vic that he was HIV positive and explained exactly what that meant.
Prejudiced Peggy eventually came round when Mark offered her support during her breast cancer diagnosis.
The top 30 best moments in EastEnders 40 year history
![EastEnders bubbly's in the fridge]](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2020/02/19120030/EastEnders-bubblys-in-the-fridge.png)
30. Bubbly’s in the fridge (2011)
Every now and then it doesn’t have to be the biggest named characters who create the greatest impact and that’s true of Vanessa Gold.
Zoe Lucker’s incarnation was only on the Square for a short time, but when she found out about boyfriend Max’s affair with his ex-wife Tanya, she created one of the most shared scenes in EastEnders history.
After reading a note between the pair saying: “Bubbly’s in the fridge” Vanessa lost it, screaming the phrase over and over again while smashing up Max’s living room.
29. Phil burns down The Vic (2010)
After years battling alcohol addiction, Phil Mitchell went one further in 2010 and started taking crack. When Peggy locked him in The Vic to try and beat the addiction, he ended up setting fire to the place.
As Peggy starred at the burning remains of her beloved boozer, she screamed: “Let it burn.”
Dame Barbara Windsor left the soap a few days later, but returned on several occasions until Peggy’s death in 2016.
28. Mick Carter disappears
On Christmas Day 2022, Mick Carter discovered his new wife, Janine Butcher, was a lying, scheming rat. She had set Linda up for a crime she didn’t commit and Mick wanted her brought to justice.
After confessing he still loved Linda and agreeing to try their relationship again, Mick and Linda entered into a car chase with pregnant Janine. She fled to Dover and after a confrontation, Linda ended up in the car with Janine. The vehicle plummeted over the cliffs into the sea.
Mick got Janine and his unborn child out after Linda insisted he save them first. He then went back into the water for Linda, but had no idea she had managed to get out on her own. Mick never resurfaced and is presumed dead.
27. Jamie Mitchell dies (2002)
Jamie Mitchell and Sonia Jackson were love’s young dream, but their future happiness was tragically snatched away from them at Christmas 2002, when he was hit by a car.
Martin Fowler was driving the car and had taken his eyes off the road to read a text. He hit Jamie, who was rushed to hospital and seemed okay.
But on Christmas Day, he died with Sonia by his side. She went on to marry and then divorce Martin.
26. Jim proposes to Dot on the London Eye (2002)
Every now and then EastEnders delivers a scene that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
That happened when Jim Branning took Dot Cotton on the London Eye and got down on one knee.
“Dorothy, will you marry me?” he asked. “Yeah, yeah I will,” she replied.
25. The death of Lola Pearce-Brown (2023)
There were heartbreaking scenes in EastEnders in 2022 when Lola Pearce reunited with true love Jay Brown only to discover weeks later she was dying of a brain tumour.
Jay proposed at Christmas 2022 and they married the following year. But with Lola’s condition worsening, she didn’t have long left.
Lola made a series of video diaries for her family for after she was gone, and even signed Jay up to run the London Marathon in her memory.
Lola died in tragic scenes on June 26 2023. We’re still not over it.
24. Bianca learns Tony is a paedophile (2008)
When Bianca Jackson returned to the Square in 2008, it looked like she had it all. Despite being homeless, she had a happy family of kids and a kind boyfriend (who was serving time, but was still an angel in her eyes).
However when said boyfriend, Tony King, returned from prison, he wasn’t all he was cracked up to be and it was soon revealed he had been sleeping with her stepdaughter Whitney, who had been 12 when it began.
Whitney believed they were in love and on her 16th birthday revealed all to Bianca.
As the truth dawned on Bianca, she tried to make Whitney see it wasn’t some big love affair.
Whitney insisted she was 16 so it was fine, but Bianca replied: “You weren’t 16 yesterday… it means you were raped.”
23. Kathy returns from the dead (2015)
Kathy Beale moved to South Africa in 1998, and was killed off-screen in 2006.
Only she wasn’t.
In one of the biggest shocks the show has ever pulled off, Kathy returned from the dead during the live special of the show to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2015.
It turned out she had faked her death alongside her abusive husband Gavin – who also turned out to be Sharon’s biological father.
Kathy eventually made a permanent return to the Square and has bought the Prince Albert bar, while still working in her beloved cafe.
22. Ian finds out Bobby killed Lucy (2015)
At Easter 2014, Lucy Beale was sensationally killed off. The next months were spent teasing a long line-up of suspects and when EastEnders went live in 2015 for its 30th anniversary the killer was revealed.
Despite Lucy’s stepmum Jane Beale confessing to the crime, Ian knew she was lying.
One look at her phone and he connected the dots – 10-year-old Bobby Beale had killed his sister and called his mum, Jane, for help.
Jane moved the body and spent months covering up the crime – even convincing Bobby that he hadn’t killed his sister.
However when Bobby’s violent streak grew and he attacked Jane with a hockey stick, he confessed to his crimes and went to prison.
21. Frank’s cheeky bow tie stunt (2000)
Frank Butcher and Pat Evans were having an affair behind their partners’ Peggy Mitchell and Roy Evans’ backs.
Pat was in for a cheeky treat when he turned up on her back doorstep wearing nothing but a spinning, flashing bow tie…
EastEnders turns 40 – the top 20 moments
20. Bianca finds out David is her dad (1995)
Back in 1995 the nation cringed as Bianca Jackson came on to David Wicks.
Why wouldn’t she? He was handsome and charming, but what she didn’t know was that he was her father.
As she tried to kiss him for the second time, David snapped and despite promising her mum, Carol that he wouldn’t tell her, he blurted out: “I’m your father.”
That’s one way to end a romance!
19. Kathy is raped by Wilmott Brown (1988)
Kathy was working at upmarket establishment The Dagmar in 1988, much to husband Pete Beale’s annoyance.
She got close to boss James Willmott-Brown, who subsequently took it the wrong way and raped her when she refused his advances.
Sobbing Kathy was found by Dirty Den Watts, who got revenge on Willmott-Brown by having The Dagmar firebombed.
Willmott-Brown was eventually found guilty of rape and sent to prison, but he returned to destroy Walford and Kathy, with the help of Max Branning in 2017.
18. Arthur Fowler has a breakdown (1986)
After unemployed Arthur stole the Christmas Club money to pay for a wedding for his daughter Michelle, his world started to unravel.
He lied that his house had been burgled and that’s how the money had been taken, but police saw through him.
He finally confessed and was arrested. His arrest saw him breakdown on Christmas Day, smashing up his living room in a violent rage.
Arthur was admitted to hospital for treatment and stood trial for his crime later that year. He was sent to prison for 28 days.
17. Dirty Den returns from the dead (2003)
Den was presumed dead after being shot, but it turned out he was very much alive and in hiding.
When his long-lost son Dennis Rickman and his daughter Vicky Fowler tracked him down, he returned to Walford and uttered those iconic words to Sharon: “‘Ello Princess.”
Sadly, Den was killed for real two years later by his wife, Chrissie.
16. Archie murdered with The Queen Vic bust (2009)
Christmas Day 2009 Archie Mitchell had made an enemy of just about everyone on the Square.
As he sat alone in The Vic, which he’d managed to con Peggy out of, he was hit over the head with The Queen Vic bust.
His killer was kept a secret, until the big reveal during the 25th anniversary celebrations in February.
15. Dot helps Ethel to die (2000)
It was a very sad day when Ethel asked her old friend Dot to help her to die.
Religious Dot was against the idea, but eventually agreed to put an end to her friend’s suffering.
“Do you know what you are?” Ethel asked. “You’re the best friend I ever had.”
Sniff. We’re not crying, you are…
14. Cindy’s return from the dead (2023)
George Knight arrived in the Square in June 2023 to run The Vic with girlfriend Elaine. He brought his two daughters, Gina and Anna, but little was known about their mum, Rose. She had left after an argument and hadn’t been seen in nine years.
Phil was suspicious and got his lawyer, Ritchie, to find out more about Rose. But they discovered she didn’t exist.
Concerned George phoned Rose’s phone, but she didn’t answer. Only viewers saw her at the other end of the ringing phone, on a sunlounger in France. And it was none other than Cindy Beale!
Cindy had been declared dead after complications in childbirth with Cindy Jnr. But it turned out she was put in witness protection after testifying against her gangster cellmate, Jackie Ford. After Jackie’s death, Cindy was free to be Cindy again, she reconnected with Ian and the rest is still playing out on screen.
13. Peggy slaps Frank and Pat (2000)
Peggy Mitchell wasn’t a woman you crossed and when you did, woe betide you!
Pat and Frank had been having an affair behind her back and when she found out, she read a letter left to her by Frank revealing his betrayal to the whole pub.
She then slapped Frank and slapped Pat one after the other, before running upstairs in tears.
12. Dirty Den is ‘killed’ (1989)
For someone to return from the dead they have to be killed first. Dirty Den had got himself mixed up with The Firm, who decided he was expendable and had to die.
Den knew it was coming, but he never saw the gun in a bunch of daffodils being carried by a loved-up young couple during a walk by the canal.
The shot was fired and viewers heard a splash, presuming Den was dead.
But it turned out he wasn’t, he survived and came back years later to cause even more trouble.
11. Stacey confesses she killed Archie (2010)
After Archie’s death the list of suspects was very long, but moments after her husband Bradley Branning plunged to his death trying to protect her, Stacey confessed.
She told Max: “He didn’t do it. Bradley didn’t do it… It was me.”
It was later revealed Archie had raped Stacey and she had killed him in revenge.
After years on the run, Stacey eventually went to prison for the crime, but when she appealed on the grounds of her biopolar disorder she was free to return to Walford again.
The top 10 best moments in the 40 years of EastEnders
10. Bradley falls off The roof of The Vic (2010)
Bradley was desperate to protect Stacey when he found out she’d killed Archie – even if that meant taking the rap himself.
As the police came knocking, he ran and ended up on the roof of The Vic.
Shouting down to his wife he said: “Stace, run,” before he plunged to his death in a very dramatic live stunt.
9. Little Mo hits Trevor with an iron (2001)
After years of abuse at the hands of her husband Trevor, Little Mo finally snapped in 2001.
As he tried to attack her again, she grabbed an iron and hit him over the head. She thought she’d killed him and went to get help, but when she returned he’d gone.
Little Mo was later sent down for eight years for attempted murder, although was eventually released when Trevor retracted his statement.
Trevor died in a house fire in 2002.
8. Frank runs over Tiffany on New Year’s Eve (1998)
Tiffany thought things were going to be okay after her abusive husband Grant Mitchell had been banned from seeing her after he pushed her down the stairs.
But he returned and snatched their daughter Courtney, causing Tiff to chase him into the icy Square.
It was New Year’s Eve and just as the clock struck midnight, Tiffany ran into the road and Frank Butcher who was driving around the corner crashed into her.
She lay dying on the road before breathing her last.
7. Janine pushes Barry off a cliff (2004)
Poor Barry Evans had no idea his new wife Janine Butcher was only marrying him for his money.
She was in fact in a relationship with Paul Trueman and they planned to take Barry for everything, believing he had a life-threatening heart murmer.
When she discovered he wasn’t dying, Janine lost it and pushed Barry off a cliff in a fit of rage.
Pretending it had been an accident, Janine later sobbed: “If only he’d worn slip on shoes.”
6. The Six
In what was one of the most ambitious storylines the soap has ever told, six Walford women became embroiled in a murder. A flashforward on the 38th anniversary in February 2023 showed us Stacey Slater, Suki Panesar, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox and Kathy Beale standing around a dead body.
We spent the next year adding up all the clues trying to work out who the victim was and who the murderer was. It turned out to be Linda Carter who killed Keanu Taylor as he was trying to strangle Sharon.
The whole build-up, and the pay-off, were sublime and it was a genuis stroke putting strong, fiesty women back at the forefront of the soap.
5. Stacey and Max’s affair revealed (2007)
Max Branning can’t keep it in his trousers, but no affair was more shocking than his liaisons with son Bradley’s wife, Stacey.
Although the pair called it off, they kissed again at Bradley and Stacey’s wedding, and it was caught on tape.
Having seen it, vengeful Lauren Branning left the recording under the tree on Christmas Day and it was played to the whole Branning/Slater clan.
The fallout was huge, with Max’s wife Tanya burying him alive as punishment.
4. Who shot Phil Mitchell? (2001)
Phil Mitchell was shot on his doorstep on March 1, 2001 and the culprit was revealed a month later on April 5.
His behaviour pre-shooting meant he’d made a number of enemies on the Square, but it was mild-mannered ex-girlfriend Lisa who had pulled the trigger.
22 million viewers tuned in to find out whodunnit and a televised football match was even postponed for 15 minutes to accommodate the reveal.
3. Den serves Angie divorce papers (1986)
Arguably the most recognisable moment in EastEnders history came on Christmas Day 1986 when Den Watts presented wife Angie with divorce papers.
He’d just found out she was faking having six months to live and wasn’t happy.
Cornering her at the bottom of the stairs, he said: “Happy Christmas, Ange,” as he waved the papers in her face.
2. Zoe discovers Kat is her mum (2001)
It’s probably the most repeated line in EastEnders script history, when Kat Slater revealed she was ‘sister’ Zoe’s actual mother.
Zoe wanted to move to Spain with her ‘uncle’ Harry – who in fact was her father after he’d sexually abused Kat when she was a teen.
Kat stormed after her in the Square insisting she wasn’t going anywhere and Zoe screamed she couldn’t tell her what to do.
“You ain’t my mother!” she yelled.
“YES I AM!” replied Kat.
1. Sharongate: Sharon’s affair with Phil revealed (1994)
The saga of Sharon, Phil and Grant has crossed decades.
Sharon was once upon a time married to Phil’s brother Grant, but she had a one-night stand with Phil.
It was kept secret, because Phil was also married to Kathy, until Sharon confessed to best friend Michelle and the whole thing was recorded on tape.
Grant found the tape and played it to the whole pub during a celebration.
“One minute we were talking, the next, ripping each other’s clothes off,” the punters heard Sharon say, in a moment that will forever go down in history.
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