EastEnders to air at different time tonight in schedule shake-up – with shocking Christmas Eve surprises in store

A schedule shake-up is in store for EastEnders tonight.

Tonight’s dramatic episode of the BBC One soap, usually shown at 7:30pm, is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now, ahead of its scheduled time.

On Wednesday, December 24th, 2025, EastEnders will be shown at the earlier time of 6:55pm. This is to make way for Paddington, a Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee, and a repeat showing of the Gavin & Stacey finale.

I’m so glad we can still catch up on the soap whenever we have time, even before the big Christmas episodes! Though, just a heads-up, the BBC isn’t releasing those special episodes on iPlayer early this year.

Tonight’s EastEnders episode ends with a dramatic cliffhanger that will continue into tomorrow’s double bill. The story focuses on Zoe Slater’s difficult situation with a stalker and her efforts to reconnect with her son, and things are about to take an unexpected turn.

To make matters even more complicated, Zoe doesn’t know her daughter, who she thought passed away as a baby, is actually alive and living in the neighborhood as Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness).

On top of everything else happening in Walford, Yolande Trueman is organizing a Christmas carol service. However, her stepson, Dr. Anthony Trueman, is distracted and angry, convinced that Zoe has kept a secret about having twin children.

Max Branning recently told his daughter, Annie, who he is, which has made her mother, Linda, very angry. Now, Max is worried his son, Oscar, might complicate things even further.

After yesterday’s touching episode, the Mitchells want to make sure Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has a great Christmas and are exploring different care arrangements for him.

Rest assured, it won’t be a quiet Christmas in Walford…

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Authors

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at TopMob, responsible for our news coverage, quick-response content, and ensuring we deliver what our audience wants. He’s a huge fan of TV and movies, especially anything with Nicole Kidman, but also loves science fiction, independent films, and the newest shows on HBO. With a background in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Film Studies, Lewis previously worked in advertising before spending three years at The Mirror, where he focused on community management, SEO, and reporting on showbiz, film, and television.

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2025-12-24 12:34