BBC One has rescheduled the BBC soap opera, which just cleaned up at the British Soap Awards, for Monday, June 9. As part of the early release schedule, the most recent episode is also not accessible on BBC iPlayer.
The change that would compel viewers to wait for EastEnders to return to the screen has saddened fans. As Kat and Alfie prepare for their third wedding, fans are anxious to see if the couple will eventually exchange vows.
Rather, the BBC will broadcast live coverage of the Belgium vs. Wales World Cup 2026 qualifying match on BBC One and BBC iPlayer starting at 7:30 p.m., with a kickoff at 7: 45 p.m. At the same time, S4C will also broadcast the match.
Consequently, EastEnders won’t return to television until Tuesday, June 10. For those who can’t wait untill the evening, the early release episode will be accessible on BBC iPlayer starting at 6am. The soap opera will return to its regular time slot on BBC One at 7:30 pm.
The EastEnders schedule adjustment follows Jamie Borthwick’s BBC suspension for using a derogatory term for individuals with disabilities during last year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition.
The actor, who portrays Jay Brown in the soap opera, is charged with using the derogatory language during the renowned Blackpool week when the cast of Strictly was in Blackpool.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: “This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values of standards we hold and expect at the BBC. We have robust processes in place for this.”
The BBC’s official EastEnders social media account shared a graphic explaining how the schedule change will unfold for devoted fans of the iconic series.
As a result, EastEnders will air on BBC One in its usual slot (7:30 pm) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday instead.
Thankfully, waiting out the extra day is completely optional because the soap opera will be rolled out as usual on BBC iPlayer across the first four days of the week. The episode that would normally have aired tonight is currently available for streaming on the platform.
The postponement coincides with a week in soap opera land that is probably going to be dominated by the third wedding of EastEnders mainstays Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
This week, the protagonists will deal with a number of problems that make them wonder if they should proceed with the wedding, such as their misgivings about intimacy, Alfie’s lack of organisation, and worries over their son Tommy (Sonny Kendall).
In a plot that somewhat echoes Netflix’s Adolescence, the disturbed Joel Marshall (Max Murray) encourages teenage Tommy to interact with harmful online content concerning women