Why is EastEnders not on tonight, December 17? Soap schedule shake-up explained

EASTENDERS fans tuning into their next dose of the popular soap will be left disappointed as it isn't on tonight (December 17, 2024).

The BBC One soap is being replaced in a schedule shake up.

EastEnders will not be shown tonight in it's usual 7:30pm slot.

BBC One viewers have grown accustomed to catching up with the long running soap on a Tuesday evening.

But the schedule has been changed to accommodate the annual  Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

Fans will be tuning in to see which of this year's sporting heroes gets the top prize for their efforts and achievements this year.

When will EastEnders return to TV?

EastEnders will return to TV on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

To make up for the missed episode, there will be an extra one screened on Friday, December 20 2024, at 7.30pm.

This means EastEnders will be going up against rival soap Emmerdale.

Watch EastEnders

EastEnders fans get four half hour episodes every week to enjoy.

The soap airs every Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm.

Fans can watch it either on BBC One or the BBC iPlayer.

The history behind EastEnders

EastEnders has been the staple of early evening viewing for many years now.

When the BBC One soap broadcast their first ever episode on February 19, 1985, 13 million viewers tuned in.

It began with a bang as, Arthur Fowler, Ali Osman and Den Watts forced their way into Reg Cox's flat and found Reg near death. .

EastEnders was created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland as a soap opera to rival Coronation Street and draw big audiences to BBC One.

Set in the fictional Borough of Walford, E20, it focuses on the lives of working class east end Londoners.