In 2016, on the week of Barbara Windsor’s final episodes airing, I was fortunate enough to visit the set of EastEnders. Rounding the corner near the car lot and stepping onto “the square” was a feeling I can’t describe. To be standing in the same spot as so many legends, the place of so many iconic television moments, was just surreal. Mad. Still can’t quite believe it, to be honest. Without the photos and videos, I’d doubt it myself.
I have watched the show my entire life – quite literally for as long as I can remember – and it holds such a special place in my heart for many reasons. One of them being that it is something my Nana and I would talk about on the phone every Friday, despite her numerous declarations that she was no longer a viewer but could tell me every single detail of the episodes.
“Did you watch EastEnders this week?”
Six simple words. A special bond that only the two of us shared. If I close my eyes, I can still hear those conversations. Hear the denials. Hear her comment and critique every storyline and character from that week. In 2015, the phone stopped ringing, and I no longer had that one special woman to share the week’s events with. But that is the power of EastEnders and the power of soap. Besides holding a mirror up to society and helping change attitudes, challenging prejudices, and educating (as well as entertaining), it is a constant thread through the generations. While my Nana may be gone, every day I’m reminded of her when I hear those iconic doof doofs. EastEnders is something that feels so intrinsically linked to my life in so many ways – it’s in my DNA, as odd as that sounds.
I applaud and congratulate everyone past and present who has worked on the show and thank them for giving us something so special and beloved. To some, it may just be a silly little TV show often bemoaned for being miserable and depressing (comments clearly made by those who don’t actually watch the show), but to many of us it is SO much more.
I can’t articulate it, but there is just something about EastEnders.
It is comforting.
It is marvellous.
It is home.
Happy 40th, EastEnders. Here’s to 40 more.
Jack x
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