EastEnders viewers need to take note. The soap is airing earlier than normal tonight.
The Christmas Eve episode is being shown on BBC One at 6.55pm. This is earlier than its usual 7.30pm slot. The change is due to festive programming on the channel.
BBC One is showing the Paddington movie this evening. This is followed by a Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee. After that comes last year’s Gavin and Stacey finale.
Because of this packed schedule, EastEnders has been moved forward on Wednesday 24 December 2025.
For those who prefer streaming, the episode is already available on BBC iPlayer. Viewers can watch it anytime today. However, the Christmas Day episodes will not be released early and will only air on TV.
Tonight’s episode sets up major drama for Christmas Day. A big cliffhanger leads into tomorrow’s double episode.
The focus remains on Zoe Slater. She is still being tormented by her stalker. She is also desperate to reunite with her long lost son. The story takes a dark turn tonight.
Zoe fears the worst. What she does not know is even more shocking. Her daughter, who she believed died as a baby, is actually alive. She is already on the Square. She is newcomer Jasmine Fisher.
Elsewhere, Yolande Trueman is organising a Christmas carol service for the community. But her stepson Anthony Trueman is far from festive. He is furious with Zoe. He believes she hid the truth about their twin children.
Max Branning is also dealing with chaos. He recently revealed his true identity to his daughter Annie Carter. Her mother Linda is furious. The situation could get even worse if Max’s son Oscar gets involved.
The Mitchell family are trying to do something kind. They want to give Nigel Bates a Christmas to remember. This follows the emotional special episode shown yesterday. They are now exploring new care options for him.
One thing is certain. Christmas in Walford will be anything but peaceful.
