Why isn’t EastEnders on BBC iPlayer yet?

Some last-minute editing has been taking place following yesterday’s London Marathon.

By James Hibbs

Published: Monday, 22 April 2024 at 09:02 AM

Soap fans who are used to watching new episodes of EastEnders when they drop on BBC iPlayer at 6am will have to wait a little while longer today, with the new episode set to instead drop at 1pm.

This change has been made in light of some last-minute editing, following Jay and Honey stars Jamie Borthwick and Emma Barton taking part in the London Marathon yesterday, where scenes were filmed of the actors in character.

The news was confirmed on the show’s official Facebook account, in a post saying: “Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick have just completed the London Marathon for an upcoming storyline that will see their characters, Honey and Jay, take on the event in memory of their beloved Lola.

“As well as running on behalf of their chosen charities, Emma and Jamie run parts in character to film various scenes along the route.

“These scenes will be edited into the main show this evening and viewers will be able to watch the special scenes tomorrow (Monday 22nd April) from 1300 on BBC iPlayer and at 1930 on BBC One. #LondonMarathon”

Jamie Borthwick as Jay Mitchell and Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell standing next to each other outside of Walford East Station
Jamie Borthwick as Jay Mitchell and Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell.
BBC

It was previously revealed that this storyline would be taking place, with the actors also running for their own chosen charities: Barton for Children in Need and Borthwick for Prostate Cancer UK.

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The actors explained how their real-life run would translate into the show when speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, with Barton saying: “It’s pretty exciting, really, because it’s never been done before. It’s a massive thing, isn’t it, the marathon?

“We’re a London-based show and we’re doing something that’s never been achieved before. So it is very exciting, it’s very nerve-wracking.”

In the soap, the characters will be running in honour of brain tumour victims, with this following on from the storyline which saw Jay’s wife Lola Pearce-Brown die last year.

Barton added of the run being tied to Lola’s storyline: “I think it’s really important, isn’t it? It’s sort of keeping her alive.

“A lot of people, when they’re going through [this with] family members, loved ones with illnesses or they’ve lost [someone], people do want to show their appreciation to the carers that have looked after them, the charities that have supported people.

“I think it’s really clever how Chris Clenshaw’s come up with this idea. I just think it’s lovely, and it’s really important to the show to keep her alive. It had such a massive impact, and we were blown away by the response. It’s a real honour to be asked to do this storyline.”