EastEnders Christmas Episodes Attract 3.3 Million Viewers

London's long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders drew 3.3 million viewers for its two Christmas Day episodes on December 25, 2025, securing a win over rival ITV programs but marking a sharp decline of two million from the previous year. The episodes, aired at 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on BBC One, centered on high-stakes drama in the fictional Walford community, including a fatal confrontation at the Queen Vic pub and revelations about long-buried family secrets.

The storyline focused on Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan in her first appearance in 20 years, who has endured months of anonymous threats from a stalker. In the episodes, Zoe discovered that her twin children, whom she believed had died after birth in 2006, are alive. Her former partner, Anthony Trueman portrayed by Nicholas Bailey, had concealed this truth out of resentment over their past breakup. Believing Anthony responsible for the harassment, Zoe confronted him upstairs in the pub during the holiday gathering. The argument escalated into violence, with Anthony slamming Zoe's head against a banister, leaving her unconscious.

Kat Slater, Zoe's mother played by Jessie Wallace, later found Zoe unresponsive beside...