As ever, EastEnders fans are gearing up for an explosive Christmas on Albert Square as they look forward to the festive special of the BBC soap.

It’s already been a huge year for the long-running programme, which celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier in February, and the drama shows no sign of slowing down now.

Last year, fans were wondering what happened to Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) when she was hit over the head at the end of the episode, and it sparked a mystery known as Who Attacked Cindy? that ran in the months that followed. This year, things will be extra special as some legendary names head back to the programme.

It’s already been confirmed that in a storyline linked to Nigel Bates’ dementia diagnosis, we would see the comebacks of Albert Square legends Pat Butcher and Barry Evans. Former cast members Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson are reprising their roles, while both characters were sadly killed off a while back now.

In general, EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm in a half-hour slot, but, with the advent of streaming services, fans have been able to watch the episode on BBC iPlayer from 7am on the day of broadcast.

What time is EastEnders on Christmas Day? What happens?

This year, EastEnders will air two half-hour instalments, with the first broadcast taking place at 7.45pm. At 8:15pm, the first part of the Call the Midwife Christmas special will kick off.

Then, the Amandaland Christmas special will take centre stage at 9:15pm, and at 9:45pm, viewers will be able to get back to Walford as the second half of EastEnders will air. It’s yet to be confirmed whether the episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer earlier on in the day.

In any case, viewers will not be short changed when it comes to the drama. As Phil Mitchell and Julie Bates still disagree over care options for Nigel, recent incidents leave Nigel panicked and fleeing. When he hears Phil and Julie nickering he confronts them before shutting himself away in the pub.

Nigel confuses past memories with the present as his dementia symptoms intensify, and he’s soon greeted by late characters and icons Pat Butcher and Barry Evans. As Nigel struggles with what’s real, he eventually hears out Phil.

As Phil has a realisation of his own, the whole family soon enjoy Christmas dinner and Nigel puts preparations in place to make this Christmas an extra special one. Anthony Trueman struggles on his first Christmas away from his ex-wife and children, as his behaviour sparks concern, while Zoe frets amid her ongoing stalker ordeal.

As the Slater/Moons prepare to celebrate their first Christmas being back together as a family in The Vic, Zoe is alarmed over a discovery and soon there’s a bombshell linked to another family. But in explosive events, a worrying situation escalates which has catastrophic consequences for all involved.

In the fallout, the police swarm the Square as Walford reacts with shocking secrets exposed, and more questions than answers, as those in the midst of the drama struggle to see a way forward.

There’s secrets across the Square too hitting the Branning clan. One such secret leaves Max Branning venting, as Lauren and Jack Branning vow to support him while trying to stop him from acting out.

Max soon does something he may regret though, while the drama doesn’t end there as a drunk Oscar Branning drops a revelation on his shocked fad Max, which threatens to derail the Branning’s Christmas festivities.

As they join the Beales for Christmas dinner, there’s a run-in with Cindy Beale and fireworks as more than one truth sparks fireworks at the dinner table for all involved.

When else is EastEnders on over Christmas and New Year?

The entire festive schedule for the BBC soap is as follows:

Monday December 22 – 7:30pmTuesday December 23 -7:30pmWednesday December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 6:55pmThursday December 25 (Christmas Day)- 7:45pm, then 9:45pmFriday, December 26 – 9:30pmMonday December 29: 7:30pmTuesday December 30: 7:30pmWednesday December 31: 7:30pmThursday January 1 – 7:30pm