February 11th 2025.
As EastEnders approaches its 40th anniversary, the beloved soap has taken a moment to honor two of its most iconic characters – Pauline and Arthur Fowler. These two Albert Square residents, portrayed by the talented Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher, were among the original 20 Walford residents who launched the show back in 1985. With their seasoned acting skills and impressive resumes, Richard and Treacher brought Pauline and Arthur to life, along with their teenage children Michelle and Mark, and Pauline's elderly mother Lou Beale.
In the show's very first episode, Pauline consulted Dr. Legg about her pregnancy, and a few months later gave birth to her son Martin. Now, Martin is the sole remaining adult member of the Fowler family still on the show, along with his adoptive brother Arthur Jr. and sister Hope. In a recent episode, Martin and his children took a trip down memory lane, revisiting a storyline from 1989 when Arthur Sr. appeared on the fictional game show "Cat and Mouse." The whole neighborhood gathered at The Queen Vic pub to watch Arthur's winning performance, showcasing the strong sense of community and camaraderie in Walford.
Last week, Martin confided in his girlfriend Ruby Allen that he wished he still had a copy of the episode to remember his late father. With her quick thinking, Ruby managed to track down someone who had uploaded the episode online. But when Martin's ex-wife Stacey Slater, who has been harboring feelings for him, suggested they watch it together at the pub like their loved ones did 36 years ago, things got a bit complicated. However, Ian and Kathy Beale were touched by the sight of their dearly departed family on screen, while Martin was moved to tears at hearing his father's voice again. Even Arthur Jr. got to see his namesake for the first time.
As the 40th anniversary approaches on February 19, 2025, EastEnders fans can expect some exciting things to come. The soap will once again go live for a special episode on February 20, following the big day. This live episode will also feature a first for EastEnders – the audience will have the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result in real-time. One of these decisions will involve Denise Fox, who finds herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati. Will she reunite with her estranged husband or pick her secret lover?
In addition, the legendary Grant Mitchell, played by Ross Kemp, will be returning to Walford to play a significant role in the 40th anniversary celebrations. Viewers can also expect the reveal of Cindy Beale's attacker, who has been a mystery since she was left for dead after the truth about her affair with her stepson exploded on Christmas Day. Special programming on BBC Four and BBC Three will provide a look back at some of the show's most memorable moments, with performances from cast members on Top of the Pops and interviews with the actors involved in the anniversary drama.
As the excitement builds for the big week, a sense of nostalgia lingers in the air. Sharon Watts is reminded of her ex-husband Phil Mitchell's mental health struggles, reflecting on Arthur's breakdown in 1986 which was recently mirrored in scenes with Ian. Ruby gets word that her infant son Roman is having trouble sleeping, forcing her to leave early and leaving Martin alone with Stacey. With a sense of history repeating itself, will this be the moment that Martin and Stacey finally reunite?
As always, we invite you to join the conversation and stay updated on all things EastEnders by leaving a comment below and visiting our homepage. If you have a soap or TV story, video, or pictures to share, please email us – we'd love to hear from you. EastEnders has come a long way in the past 40 years, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for our beloved characters in Walford.
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