It’s fair to say EastEnders is *never* a quiet time at Christmas.
Since its debut way back in 1985, the soap has delivered on the drama every year for its festive special.
From epic stunts and explosions to affair reveals and tragic deaths, here’s the greatest EastEnders Christmas episodes of all time…
10. EastEnders Christmas episode: Sharon and Dennis’ affair reveal – 2004
After a string of failed romances, Sharon Watts *finally* met the love of her life in 2004, albeit in the form of her adoptive-brother Dennis Rickman.
Their relationship faced many obstacles though – including their dad ‘Dirty’ Den Watts returning from the dead.
But it was over Christmas lunch in 2004 when Sharon and Dennis came clean about their romance – and there were a ton of fireworks!
We’re talking screaming matches between Sharon, Chrissie Watts and Zoe Slater – who was dating Dennis at the time. Zoe even launched herself at Sharon following the shock news.
9. Jamie Mitchell dies on EastEnders Christmas episode in 2002
Hearts broke all over the nation in 2002 when Jamie Mitchell died. His death was a result of Martin Fowler accidentally running him over outside the tube station.
Sonia Fowler, Phil Mitchell, and the other Mitchell members all went and visited Jamie in the hospital.
In a heartbreaking twist though, Sonia and Phil decided not to tell Jamie he was dying. Instead, they wanted him to enjoy his last moments without worrying about death.
In tear-jerking scenes, they expressed their love for Jamie – before he passed away, with an emotional Phil saying goodbye to the boy he considered his own son.
8. Mick Carter’s exit – 2022
Mick was a staple on the soap – making his first appearance in 2013. In 2022 though, it was revealed that actor Danny Dyer would be leaving – and fans were gutted.
But his final episode did not disappoint! After a slew of shocking revelations and an epic clifftop stunt, Mick ended up getting lost at sea trying to save the love of his life Linda.
Although presumed dead, fans are hoping Mick will make a return one day…
7. Den Watts and Angie – 1986
This 1986 episode was EastEnders’ second-ever Christmas special – and is still one of the most-watched broadcasts in UK TV history.
Walford legends Den and Angie Watts had long been on the rocks – but when Den found out Angie lied about having just six months to live, he confronted his wife.
And in an episode watched by 30 million people, Den served his divorce papers to a stunned Angie. The fall-out resulted in one of the soap’s iconic lines, when Den gleefully told his wife “Happy Christmas Ange!”
6. Yusef’s death – 2011
Christmas Day 2011 was eventful to say the least for the beloved Masood family.
In the lead-up, matriarch Zainab Masood was being abused by vile Yusef – and he even planned to take her to Pakistan.
After leaving Zainab’s ex Masood for dead, things took a dramatic turn when Yusef set fire to the Masood’s B&B.
The villain was left startled though when Zainab told him his daughter was inside and trapped. He quickly attempted to rescue her, not knowing Zainab was lying – and down came the building with Yusef trapped inside.
5. Abi Branning’s death – 2017
Christmastime in Walford in 2017 was rather bleak for the Branning clan.
In heartbreaking scenes, Lauren and Abi Branning attempted to stop dad Max from jumping off the Queen Vic.
But things took a horrific turn when both of them fell – with it later being revealed that Max’s youngest Abi had not survived the fall.
4.) Stacey leaves Walford – 2010
Stacey is by far a Walford legend. And after dominating the soap for years, in 2010, actress Lacey Turner took a break for the first time.
In Walford, Stacey was outed as Archie Mitchell’s killer (more on that below), and she was also framed for stabbing nemesis Janine Butcher.
With time running out for Stacey, she ended up fleeing Walford with baby daughter Lily to start a new life in Mexico. Fortunately, as we all know, Stacey was back on the soap four years later in 2014 – wooo!
3. Archie Mitchell’s whodunnit – 2009
EastEnders is famous for pulling off an epic ‘whodunnit’ storyline. And on Christmas Day in 2009, the soap was at it again – this time, it was vile Archie Mitchell who was killed off…
Fans watched on edge as the nasty guy was bashed over the head by a mysterious resident.
There were a ton of potential suspects who hated Archie – including his daughter Ronnie who he abused when she was younger, and also Stacey – who Archie raped.
The actual reveal didn’t happen for a few months, and it was eventually confirmed that it was Stacey who killed him.
2. The Six- 2023
Last year’s Christmas special was truly one for the history books.
The soap kicked off the epic The Six storyline in February 2023, with an epic flash forward showing a dead body in the Vic, surrounded by several Walford ladies.
Fast forward to December that year and on Christmas Day, the truth was revealed – and it’s fair to say nobody saw the twist coming…
In jaw-dropping scenes, it was Keanu Taylor who was murdered by Linda Carter, after he attempted to strangle Sharon Watts to death.
1. Stacey and Max’s affair reveal on EastEnders Christmas episode in 2007
Taking the top spot is of course the Stacey Slater and Max Branning affair reveal.
Nearly 20 years on, and there are still clips of this episode making its rounds online – which is a testament to how iconic it was!
In the jaw-dropping episode, the Branning and Slater clan found out about Stacey’s affair with the father of her boyfriend-then-husband Bradley Branning.
Their affair confession was caught on tape and played out to the family on the TV by Max’s daughter, Lauren… Awkward or what?!
Read more: EastEnders: Phil to burn The Vic down and die in depression storyline, a new fan theory predicts
What’s your favourite EastEnders Christmas episode? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
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So much drama!
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