Former EastEnders boss reveals a very different disaster was considered for 40th anniversary episodes

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Chris Clenshaw shared that the plans for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary episodes weren’t set in stone and could have turned out quite differently.

Former EastEnders producer Chris Clenshaw recently discussed his time working on the BBC One soap opera, from 2022 to 2025, during an appearance on the EastEnders podcast, Albert Square After Dark. He left the position in June.

Clenshaw discussed the hugely popular 40th anniversary episodes from February, where an explosion at the Queen Vic resulted in the deaths of two prominent characters.

Clenshaw explained that they discussed having a train derail – it was a great idea, but ultimately impossible to achieve. He expressed his fondness for the Victoria line, calling it the central element of the show.

I was really moved when they talked about the decision to write out Martin Fowler. It was so brave of them to have him die a hero, saving Stacey – his ex-wife and the love of his life. It felt like a really powerful moment, even though it was heartbreaking to see him go.

According to writer Sarah Clenshaw, the show made a powerful statement when Martin became the first character born on screen, forcing him to confront the devastating choice of killing someone he loved. She explained that they wanted viewers to deeply sympathize with him, having followed his story for four decades, and felt there was a beautiful, almost fated quality to the situation.

Lacey Turner was fantastic in the live episode, especially considering she’d just had her third child a few weeks prior. Her pregnancy did, understandably, present some challenges behind the scenes.

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One of the most talked-about moments from the live episode was the audience deciding who Denise Fox (Diane Parish) should end up with: her ex-husband, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), or her current partner, Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). Viewers voted for Denise to get back together with Jack, but we wanted to know how the show’s writers felt about the outcome.

Clenshaw believes viewers ultimately rooted for a genuine connection, not just physical attraction. He also feels the outcome might have been different if Ravi’s former partner, Priya Nandra-Hart, hadn’t been involved, and expressed satisfaction that Jack was the one who ultimately won.

We’ll have to wait and see if Jack and Denise can stay happy…

Ben Wadey, the show’s current executive producer, has given fans a sneak peek at what’s in store for the Christmas episodes.

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Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at TopMob, responsible for our news coverage, quick-response content, and making sure we deliver what our audience wants. He’s a huge TV and movie buff, especially a fan of 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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2025-12-22 19:39