Give Bianca a Baftapublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Emma Bullimore
TV commentator
"Blow like you blow that trumpet" - the perfect way to cheer on Sonia in labour.
Someone give Bianca a Bafta right now.
Summary
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
EastEnders 40th anniversary live episode saw fans decide for the first time what happened - as Denise made her choice between Jack and Ravi
Martin's death, moments after he proposed to Stacey under the rubble of the Old Vic, left fans reeling as actor James Bye confirms he is leaving the show
Sonia Fowler successfully gave birth to her daughter, who she named Julia - after the show's creator Julia Smith
In Boxpark, fans donned character masks and a rather brilliant Pat Butcher outfit, as cheers and shouts rang out as the drama unfolded
The live episode was a "reminder of the glory days" as Lacey Turner's performance was "perfectly pitched", Emma Bullimore writes
EastEnders fans react to Martin's cliffhanger
Give Bianca a Baftapublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Sonia's had her babypublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
BreakingWe've just seen Sonia screaming as she gives birth to a baby girl among the rubble of the Old Vic.
At first the baby is not crying and panic builds. Finally, a cry is heard.
Can someone turn the lights on?published at 19:58 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Emma Bullimore
TV commentatorIs it me, or is it a bit dark in here?
Apart from the hi vis paramedic gear reminding me to watch Casualty at the weekend. Can someone turn the lights on?
'I have loved this woman from the first moment I saw her': Tender moment for Martin and Staceypublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Martin and Stacey share an emotional scene - the setting is dark, Martin remains pinned on the ground and beeps from the medical equipment can be heard in the background.
He asks whether she wants to hear his wedding speech.
"I have loved this woman from the very first moment I saw her," he starts, before adding he feels he has travelled the world "just by staying right here".
Denise's choice met with mixed views on social mediapublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Social media is convinced Denise has picked Jack - but there's still expectation for a twist.
Many voice concerns over Denise's choice. Here are some comments we're seeing:
"Jack is toxic you can do so much better than him."
"Denise you're supposed to be with Ravi."
Others say they are gutted for Ravi, who "really did love Denise".
On the final choice, the jury is still out.
Has Denise sealed the deal?published at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Has Denise chosen Jack? With EastEnders, its never over until the doof doof.
We've just watched the pair drinking a glass of wine together.
Denise tells Jack she felt safe with him and when quizzed on Ravi she says they are "from two different worlds".
She insists: "I want to get to know you".
Jack appears to hesitate before offering his hand in a handshake saying "Hello, my name is Jack Branning".
Could this be any more on-brand?published at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Emma Bullimore
TV commentatorLacey Turner, who plays Stacey, is a pro at these live episodes, she's showing them all how it's done.
A marriage proposal in the wreckage, with emergency services in the background and Sonia giving birth in the next room - could this be any more on-brand for EastEnders?
Did Bianca just steal the show?published at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Emma Bullimore
TV commentatorWho'd have thought Patsy Palmer's comedy timing would steal the show?
Bianca throwing Sonia's knickers over her shoulder towards a stunned Lauren is my favourite moment of the episode so far.
Cheers in Boxpark as Denise goes to see Jackpublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Shola Lee
Reporting from BoxPark, WembleyMedia caption, EastEnders fans cheer the moment Denise knocked on Jack's door
Boxpark fell silent as fans watch Denise proclaim "I know what I wanna do" in terms of her love life.
As people shifted in their seats we see Denise knock on a door only for Jack to answer.
Cheers erupted throughout the venue - but some were left confused.
It's a yes from Staceypublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Stacey has just agreed to marry Martin, who proposed while he lies in the rubble and uses an oxygen mask. Emergency personnel can still be seen working in the background.
The question remains: Jack or Ravi?published at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Is it Jack? Or will it be Ravi?
Denise's move to see Jack is shrouded in mystery, as Ravi sees her chatting to his love rival.
The confusion is real on social media.
Some are sure Denise has picked Jack, whereas others think it might be a plot twist and she will tell him she has chosen Ravi.
Denise knocks on Jack's door... but Ravi sees herpublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
We've just seen Denise knock on Jack's door - she says softly: "Hey" as the camera cuts to Ravi walking round the corner.
Ravi watches in the dark as Denise goes inside. We're being kept on tenterhooks to find out what will happen next.
Concern for Martin builds as he's stuck under rubblepublished at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Audiences are voicing concern on social media for Martin as the last scene saw him trapped in the rubble of the Queen Vic.
People want to know if Martin has been killed off.
"Don't you dare die on us now, Martin Fowler," one person writes.
It's getting juicy in Albert Square alreadypublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Emma Bullimore
TV commentatorDenise is off to get her man, and it's Jack's door she's knocking on. Don't worry "if it goes t*** up" says Linda.
Was that in the script? It's getting juicy in Albert Square already...
Opening credits end, and we're offpublished at 19:31 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
BreakingWe've just heard the infamous opening theme tune of EastEnders, which means the live episode has begun.
The show starts with plenty of screaming from Sonia, who remains trapped in the Queen Vic and is due to give birth.
You can follow along by clicking watch live at the top of this page. Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Tonight's live episode will be 'explosive', EastEnders team says as set bustles with activitypublished at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Shola Lee
Reporting from BoxPark, Wembley
Image caption, The set can be seen from the streets of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire
Members of the public were sat waiting on deck chairs outside the EastEnders studios as we arrived to interview stars about the 40th anniversary.
The hum of building works and crew prepping throughout our visit added to the sense of anticipation leading up to today's live episode, described by the soap team as “explosive”.
With most of the set in use ahead of the busy anniversary week, we were given the Walford East tube station as our filming backdrop.
It’s where stars like Linda Henry, who played Shirley Carter, have departed and where familiar faces have returned.
We spoke to Ross Kemp (Grant Mitchell), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) and Harriet Thorpe (Elaine Knight) as they were getting ready for the special episode, you can read more about them in our upcoming posts.
EastEnders is just minutes awaypublished at 19:26 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
BreakingIt's almost time for EastEnders to start and people across the UK will be watching on their sofas, or out at viewing parties.
To catch up on the latest from Albert Square, we have this recap, and we have more on what to expect tonight.
And, you can let us know how you're watching.
As a reminder, you can follow along by clicking Watch live at the top of this page at 19:30 GMT.
Crowds hyped up at Boxparkpublished at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
Shola Lee
Reporting from Boxpark, Wembley
Most of the seats are now taken in Boxpark as fans continue filing in.
The organisers say they’ve sold over 1,000 tickets for tonight’s festivities and the hosts have taken to the stage to hype up the crowd.
Amid a sea of cheers, entertainers Isla Loba and Goldie Quaker invite six fans on stage to test their EastEnders knowledge.
With questions including: “Finish the iconic sentence: You ain’t my mother…” to which fans screamed: “Yes, I am!”
Around the venue revellers are donning their best EastEnders outfits, with cheetah print coats and Pat Butcher earrings.
Want to bring yourself up-to-speed? Head to The Lock-Inpublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
As usual, there’s been a lot going in Walford, but luckily Joe Swash has been down to the Square to make sure you’re across the latest.
Swash, who played Micky Miller in the soap between 2003 and 2008 with further appearances in 2011 and 2024, brings you behind-the-scenes insights. You'll get the reveal of Cindy Beale’s attacker, more on the love triangle between Denise, Jack and Ravi - as well as some exclusive details about tonight’s live episode.
Jacqueline Jossa, Natalie Cassidy and Patsy Palmer all join Swash in EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In, sharing their thoughts on what they think may happen tonight and their thoughts on being in a live episode.
Oh, and there’s one more special surprise...a well known EastEnders superfan gives a very special musical performance.
So before we go live to Albert Square, why not catch up with EastEnders Revealed: The Lock-In.
'It's better than football' - why fans love EastEnders so muchpublished at 19:20 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February
BBC LondonOur colleagues at BBC London are at an EastEnders watch party at Boxpark, in Wembley, as well as Shola Lee who has been sharing her insights from the venue.
BBC's Wendy Hurrell has spoken to fans at the venue who say the drama and suspense is what makes the show such a good watch:
Media caption, 'It's better than football' - What do mega fans love about EastEnders?
