EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has confirmed a change to how viewers can watch the soap next week, suggesting that a big surprise is on the way.
This week’s dramatic episodes saw Kat and Alfie get married for the third time, while George and Elaine’s marriage broke down – marking the final episodes that outgoing executive producer Chris Clenshaw has overseen.
Taking over the important job is Ben Wadey, the former commissioning executive at Channel 4, who previously worked as a story editor on EastEnders.
Ben’s first episodes hit screens next week, and he is starting his tenure on the show with a bang, with an unmissable instalment that will air on Monday, 16 June.
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Monday’s episode won’t be available to watch on BBC iPlayer at 6am as usual. Instead, the episode will simulcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.30pm.
Since the show started putting episodes online each morning, the early releases are only ever held back when there’s something the show wants to keep tightly under wraps.
Example of this include Cindy’s shocking return, the Christmas Day episodes, and the dramatic 40th anniversary week earlier this year – and it seems like another must-see moment could be about to join this list.
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In a statement, Ben has teased that next week’s episodes will kick off a huge new chapter in Walford, in a story that he hopes will generate conversation amongst fans.
"Next week marks the start of something big in Walford that we hope will get everyone talking," he said, "and it’s only just the beginning. We’ve got twists, shocks, and plenty of drama lined up for a summer you don’t want to miss."
In Monday’s episode, teen Joel’s concerning behaviour takes an even darker turn, when he touches a girl inappropriately on the tube and gets unsuspecting Tommy to film the assault.
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Elsewhere, newly married Alfie attempts to comfort a furious Jean but is distracted by his phone – then receives a mysterious call from absent Stacey.
Will the reason for Monday’s simulcast relate to either of these storylines, or will it be about something else entirely? Set your alarms for 7.30pm…
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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