EastEnders News & Spoilers Feed

Dot's coming home...

2012-10-19T23:00:01+00:00

Have you missed her as much as we have?

After taking a break to work on her memoirs and present the BBC One documentary 'Respect Your Elders', June Brown is set to return in January 2013.

Walford has sorely missed our gossiping laundrette legend... well she has been an Albert Square resident since 1985! Dot will come home shortly after the Branning family are blown apart following an explosive Christmas...(duff duff...etc).

Looking forward to her return, Executive Producer Lorraine Newman commented: "Dot is one of the EastEnders best-loved characters and Albert Square hasn't been the same without her".

EastEnders up for four MVSAs

2012-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

EastEnders has been nominated in four categories at this year's Birmingham Black International Film Festival's Music, Video, and Screen Awards (MVSAs).

Three of the awards can be voted for by the public, so please show your support by heading on over to the Black International Film Festival website, clicking on MVSA Awards tab and then the Nominations tab to register your votes:

Best Soap with a Black Cast or Lead - EastEnders, against other nominees: Casualty, Holby City, and Doctors
Best Newcomer - Ricky Norwood, against Malachi Kirby for My Murder, Chizzy Akudolu for Holby, and Kano Robinson for Top Boy
Best TV Comedy Performance - Tameka Empson, against Ozy Ikhile for Twenty Twelve, Ellen Thomas for Rev, and Jimmy Akingbola for Rev

Additionally, Chucky Venn is up for Best UK Actor, against Ashley Walters for Inside Men, David Harewood for Homeland, and John Boyega for My Murder. However, this category is voted for by a jury, rather than the public.

Happy voting!

Inside Soap Awards: More from the red carpet...

2012-09-25T11:02:20+00:00

Here's our second instalment from the red carpet at the Inside Soap Awards.

See pics and messages from David Witts, Tameka Empson, Gillian Wright and Hetti Bywater in our previous post.

Meanwhile, we caught up with Danielle Harold (Lola), new boy Gary Lucy (Danny) and Cheryl Fergison (Heather), who is still loving EastEnders - it's true, we really grilled her!

We also had a lovely chat with Jamie Borthwick (Jay), Jasmyn Banks (Alice), Rachel Bright (Poppy), and Chucky Venn (Ray), who were thrilled to be there to recieve the Best Soap award.

Inside Soap Awards: EastEnders comes out on top!

2012-09-25T09:02:00+00:00

EastEnders has scooped a massive seven Inside Soap Awards, including the coveted Best Soap award!

We were on the red carpet (it was actually pink) and managed to grab some of our lucky winners for a chat.

Aside from the Best Soap crown, our EastEnders winners were:

Sexiest Male: David Witts (aka Joey Branning)

Funniest Female: Tameka Empson (aka Kim Fox)

Don't forget that 'The B&B' , Tameka's self-penned reality documentary about Kim's adventures, airs online in October...

Best Actress: Gillian Wright (aka Jean Slater)

Best Newcomer: Hetti Bywater (aka Lucy Beale)

Funniest Male: Ricky Norwood (aka Fatboy)

Best Bitch: Charlie Brooks (aka Janine Butcher)

Ricky and Charlie didn't make it to the red carpet, but huge congratulations to both. We know that they were bowled over to win their awards!

Click here for further exclusive pics and messages from Danielle Harold (Lola), Jamie Borthwick (Jay), Gary Lucy (Danny), Cheryl Fergison (Heather) and more...

EastEnders nominated for Radio 1 Teen Award!

2012-09-17T08:00:00+00:00

Great news! EastEnders has been nominated in the Best British TV Show category at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards!

If you would like to vote, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/teenawards/2012/

Voting is open from Saturday 15th September to Saturday 22nd September, with the winner announced on Sunday 7th October.

Photo Spoilers: Great balls of fire!

2012-09-15T23:00:01+00:00

EastEnders is no stranger to explosive stunts, but the show is taking it to another level for an episode crashing onto your telly boxes boxes later this year. We can practically feel the heat coming off our computer screens!

The crew have been out on location, filming a spectacular scene during the past week - culminating in a rather big bang.

Derek, Joey and Lauren Branning can be seen fleeing the fireball in the pics. Joey and Lauren have grown close but, unable to tell their family, decide to flee Walford... and end up in an accident where their car smashes through a shop window! The pair are forced to call Derek for help, but not long after, the car explodes...

The web team have been working some long nights alongside the cast and crew, and will bringing you exciting behind-the-scenes footage and other exclusive content to tie in with the episode.

Shane Richie to star in Radio 2 Drama!

2012-09-13T10:44:14+00:00

BBC Radio 2 is set to air an hour-long pilot for new music radio drama, Shout to the Top, starring our very own Shane Richie!

Shout to the Top, which will air on September 25 at 10pm, is the story of an 80's girl band trying to break into the tough music business. Shane plays Vince; a pub land lord (well we all know he can do that well!), passionate amateur singer and the dad of the band's lead singer, Rain.

When a record company comes knocking, Vince jumps at the chance to be the bands' manager to give the girls some credibility.

Here's what Shane has to say about the show:

"It was a great honour and a wonderful opportunity to be asked to be part of this drama for Radio 2. The script is fantastic and I was surrounded by some wonderful new talent which I am sure we will see more from in the future."

Amira pops back to Walford...

2012-09-11T16:15:00+00:00

The queen of glam is set to make a speedy visit to The Square within the next few months. We all know that Amira (Preeya Kalidas) has done her best to spilt up ex-hubby Syed and Christian in the past - is she coming back to have one more go?!

The big question is does she have something to do with Syed and Christian's impending departure? Hmm, watch this space...

Christian and Syed leaving Walford

2012-09-07T06:00:00+00:00

Christian and Syed, as played by Marc Elliott and John Partridge, are to leave EastEnders later this year, it has been announced.

Exec Producer: Lorraine Newman told us: "Marc and John have been a fantastic part of EastEnders and the characters of Syed and Christian have been a huge success for the show. Their storylines have broken boundaries that have not been seen in a soap before and the love for them by the viewers can be seen in the "Chryed" fans.

"When Marc announced he had decided to move on, we had a tough decision to make and after numerous conversations, which included John, it was decided that there is only one outcome for Syed and Christian. We wish them both all the best for the future."

"I have had a brilliant time on EastEnders over the last three and a half years and made some amazing friends," revealed Marc Elliott. "During this time, I have been blessed with some incredible storylines and am especially pleased that the show has tackled and raised awareness of the sensitive subject matter of being a gay muslim.

"As an actor you are always looking for new challenges and I feel that now is the right time to move on and explore different projects, perhaps returning to my roots in theatre. I would like to thank everyone at EastEnders for the wonderful opportunity they have given me and for making this experience so much fun."
"I have had the time of my life at EastEnders - but I have always gone with my gut - and leaving at the same time as Marc felt like the ONLY thing to do," added John Partridge. "It is the right end to the story and for Christian. But also, excitingly, the start of a whole new chapter for me."

Details of the duo's departure are currently under wraps, but we'll be revealing more nearer the time.

Billy's Olympic Nightmare

2012-06-21T23:00:01+00:00

From Walford to Wembley, sporting legends will come to Billy Mitchell's aid during his Olympic Nightmare!

In a one-off exclusive Red Button episode of EastEnders, Billy (Perry Fenwick) comes face-to-face with a whole host of sporting legends and celebrities as part of a desperate race against time to fulfil his Olympic dream.

With Lola pregnant and William and Janet living with their mother, Billy sees his role of Olympic torch bearer as a chance to make his family proud. But as the big day looms, his nerves take over and his sleep is plagued by visions of what could go wrong.

And when Billy finds himself running late for a series of special events at Olympic venues, things soon go from bad to worse for... until cheeky cab driver Hercules (Omid Djalili) arrives on the scene.

Dame Kelly Holmes, Tessa Sanderson, Matt Baker and Alex Jones are amongst the star-studded cast set to join Perry and Omid for the mini drama. Can they help turn Billy's nightmare into a triumph?

"Like Billy, I am also terrified at what might go wrong as I carry the Olympic torch though Albert Square," said Perry. "Filming this was like a dress rehearsal of my worst nightmare! It was strange filming at West Ham as again, like Billy, I feel it's my home. I'm over the moon to be carrying the torch through Walford, and working with the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes has made me even more excited to do so!"

This special episode will be available on BBC Red Button and BBc iPlayer straight after EastEnders on Monday 16th July 2012.

On the following Monday, 23rd July 2012, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay procession will make its way LIVE through Walford during that - led by Billy Mitchell!

Watch the trailer for Billy's Olympic Nightmare:

And follow the torch on its journey, with Fatima Whitbread as your host!

TVChoice Awards - reminder to vote!

2012-06-07T11:45:00+00:00

We have just over one week to go until the long list closes for this year's TV Choice Awards!

You can vote online here

Here's a quick reminder about who's in the running to win:

Best Soap Actor

Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed),

Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell)

Shane Richie (Alfie Moon)

Best Soap Actress

Jo Joyner (Tanya Branning)

Charlie Brooks (Janine Butcher)

Lindsey Coulson (Carol Jackson)

Best Soap Newcomer

Jamie Foreman (Derek Branning)

Chucky Venn (Ray Dixon)

Tony Discipline (Tyler Moon)

Best Soap

EASTENDERS!

EastEnders schedule changes around the Jubilee

2012-05-23T14:39:25+00:00

Make sure you don't miss a single moment of EastEnders as schedules change for the Jubilee weekend.

On Friday 1st June, EastEnders will be on BBC One at 9pm.

There will be no EastEnders on Monday 4th June because of The Diamond Jubilee Concert

Tuesday 5th June will be as normal - 7.30pm on BBC One.

There will be a double episode on Wednesday 6th June starting at 8pm.

Pass it on so that nobody misses out!

See schedule changes for the following week here

Vote in the TVChoice Awards

2012-05-21T23:01:20+00:00

The TVChoice Awards nominations have been announced and they are 100% decided by the public.

You can vote online here until midnight on 15th June 2012.

Best Soap Actor

Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed), Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell), Shane Richie (Alfie Moon)

http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/

Best Soap Actress

Jo Joyner (Tanya Branning), Charlie Brooks (Janine Butcher), Lindsey Coulson (Carol Jackson)

http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/

Best Soap Newcomer

Jamie Foreman (Derek Branning), Chucky Venn (Ray Dixon), Tony Discipline (Tyler Moon)

http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/

Best Soap

Plus, EastEnders is up for the Best Soap award. We think it is... but then we would say that wouldn't we? What do you think? Vote for your favourites

http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/

British Soap Awards: EastEnders wins!

2012-04-30T09:05:03+00:00

Horray! EastEnders has won seven awards at the BSA's, included the much coveted title of Best British Soap (for the 5th year in a row!).

*If you don't want to know the individual award winners avert your eyes now*

Our winners are:

Lorna Fitzgerald for Best Young Performance

Jake Wood and Jo Joyner for Best On screen Partnership

Jo Joyner for Best Dramatic Performance

Scott Maslen for Sexiest Male

Pam St Clement received the Lifetime Achievement Award (to a standing ovation!)

Special Achievement Award went to Simon Ashdown

'Congratulations are also due to our other nominees, who were just pipped at the post in their categories.' Lorraine Newman, Exec Producer

The awards will be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday 2 May at 8pm.

Alice Branning coming to Walford

2012-04-13T23:00:01+00:00

East End crim, Derek Branning should be used to being a wanted man, but there's someone searching for him who's going to shake him up more than any member of the Old Bill could.

Say hello to Alice Branning, who is set to arrive on Derek's doorstep looking for answers from the father she's never met.

Unlike her unscrupulous father, Alice is sweet and has lived a sheltered life with her mum and older brother Joey - who is no fan of their estranged dad. But how will this ordinary girl cope when she finds out the truth about her... extraordinary father? Will she be able to cope with his shady past?

"I've been a fan of EastEnders forever and am thrilled to be cast as a Branning," says actress Jasmyn Banks . "It's such a privilege to be working alongside Jamie (Foreman) and I can't wait to find out what's in store for Alice."

EastEnders Executive Producer Lorraine Newman added: "Jasmine is a great actress and we are delighted to have her join the cast as Alice Branning. Alice will help us glimpse a softer side to Derek and, being part of the Branning clan, there's a huge amount of history for the pair to draw upon which gives us great potential for the future."

What do you think? can you see Derek winning any Dad of the Year awards in the near future? And how would you feel if you discovered he was your dad?