The festive season in Albert Square is fast approaching, with EastEnders fans eagerly anticipating the dramatic events that typically unfold on Christmas Day. However, there’s been growing frustration among viewers over a possible change in this year’s schedule that could see the Christmas episode pushed from its usual 9pm slot to 10pm.
One upset viewer vented on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I want my EastEnders at 8pm so I can go to BED,” while another labeled the rescheduling as “diabolical.” In contrast, one fan shared a more relaxed approach, writing, “I go round my friends’ for Christmas dinner. I’m always either too drunk or passed out by the time EastEnders comes on. It’s not a Christmas tradition for me, it’s a hungover Boxing Day tradition.” Another fan reacted to the potential 10pm airing by quipping, “That had better be worthwhile, not just trauma for Linda.”

One Reddit user speculated that the change might be due to the content of the episode, writing, “Logical explanation is that it needs to be past the watershed for some reason.” Another fan agreed, suggesting, “They’re going to have something big planned, which probably isn’t suitable for pre-9pm viewing. 10pm is likely a result of fitting everything into a packed Christmas schedule.”
EastEnders has been keeping its Christmas plans under wraps, with fans expecting big things following last year’s dramatic “The Six” storyline. That plot saw Nish Panesar’s dramatic exit, where he took the fall for Keanu Taylor’s murder, ending with his poignant final moments as he was carted off in a police van while The Six – Suki, Stacey, Denise, Sharon, Kathy, and Linda – watched from outside the Queen Vic.

Paparazzi shots recently teased a funeral scene, which included returning characters Nancy and Lee Carter, played by Maddy Hill and Danny Hatchard, leading many fans to worry that Linda could be leaving the show this Christmas.
This year’s Christmas special will air just months before EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, which will feature a live broadcast. Fans will also get the chance to vote on the outcome of a love story for the first time, although the characters involved have yet to be revealed.
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