I\u2019ll start by saying this, before you all start sending me messages asking: I don\u2019t know who is killed and who is the killer<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n We saw approximately 45 minutes of the highly anticipated episode, and it was 45 minutes of drama, comedy, twists and shocks \u2013 that\u2019s all before the flash-forward scene.<\/p>\n Without spoiling anything \u2013 because trust me, this isn\u2019t an episode you want to have spoiled \u2013 the drama very much centres around The Six, made up of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).<\/p>\n It\u2019s the day of Sharon\u2019s wedding, and as she plans to wed Keanu (Danny Walters), it genuinely does seem like nothing can go wrong, as they\u2019re both in pre-marital bliss.<\/p>\n At the church, all eyes are on the fabulously glamorous Sharon, who\u2019s putting her guilt over Albie\u2019s paternity behind her to marry the man she truly does love \u2013 but Keanu\u2019s hiding his own secret, too, over his staged kidnapping of his son.<\/p>\n Viewers are in for a doof-doof-worthy treat as Phil (Steve McFadden) arrives \u2013 but what does he have to say?<\/p>\n Any episode which has knockout performances from some of Albert Square\u2019s icons are always great ones, but the incredible thing about the Christmas Day ep is that this is only one storyline strand.<\/p>\n There\u2019s still way more to this episode than just Sharon and Keanu\u2019s wedding (which is already simply excellent).<\/p>\n Elsewhere in Walford, Suki is planning to leave Walford, but she gets a surprising visitor, only to then have a worrying call from Vinny.<\/p>\n The scenes that follow are fantastic from Sopal and all involved in the gripping storyline, which again has several doof-doof moments itself.<\/p>\n While all eyes are undoubtedly on the comings and goings of the Queen Vic, there are other subplots around The Six, with the strongest featuring 2023 returnee Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).<\/p>\n It\u2019s obvious to everyone, including their new partners, that there\u2019s still very much a connection between Cindy and her ex, George Knight (Colin Salmon), and that\u2019s explored during a tense Christmas Day dinner which combines the Knights and the Beales through gritted teeth.<\/p> One-liners and looks that could kill are very much the plat du jour at that meal, and it\u2019s simply divine.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a welcome message from dearly departed Lola (Danielle Harold), who has a surprise for Jay (Jamie Borthwick), harking back to one of the most powerful storylines of the year: Loving and Losing Lola.<\/p>\n While the ending is still a mystery to me, the 45 minutes that I saw were among the best I\u2019ve ever seen in soaps. You\u2019ll laugh, cry and positively jump off the sofa.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an exemplary episode which sets the blueprint for how it\u2019s done. It\u2019s a masterclass from Chris Clenshaw, who has just been excellent this year, and has given this beloved soap its heart back \u2013 and given viewers a new love of the genre.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait to watch the full episode with everyone else on Christmas Day, a rare privilege for a journalist these days.<\/p>\n Really, it\u2019s just like it used to be, where millions would sit around their TV at Christmas and tune into the best soap outings of the year.<\/p>\n But forget Den and Angie, there\u2019s going to be a new competitor for the best ever EastEnders episode \u2013 and even the best ever soap episode.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Letitia](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/12\/EastEnders-Sharon-Keanu-wedding-a7bd4a4.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"EastEnders")
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