Why isn’t EastEnders on tonight? BBC soap taken off air again in major schedule shake-up

EastEnders fans won’t be able to take their usual Thursday visit to Albert Square tonight, as the soap has been taken off air yet again in another huge schedule shake-up.

The BBC soap has seen huge changes in the schedule over the past few weeks with major sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Women’s Euros broadcasting on the BBC. Although Wimbledon came to an end over the weekend, the Women’s Euros are still in full swing – affecting EastEnders’ schedule.

The Lionesses are still very much in the running to take home the title with their quarter final against Sweden being broadcast on the BBC tonight from 7pm, wrapping up at 10.15pm. This means that unfortunately there’s no room for EastEnders on tonight’s schedule.

Linda Vic

The soap will be back on air next week – as the new owner of the Vic will be revealed(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

However, EastEnders fans still received their two hour dose of Walford drama this week, as the soap aired a double bill on Tuesday night. The dramatic episodes saw Karen Henthorn reprise her role as Julie Bates after 27 years as Jay Brown contacted her to let her know Nigel was in Walford.

Julie wasn’t best pleased that Nigel and Phil had kept her in the dark, and towards the end of the double bill, she was seen taking Nigel home to Scotland. A heartbroken Phil couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye to his best friend – but is it the last we’ll see of Nigel?


EastEnders fans will have to wait until Monday for the next instalment, and once again, they’ll have to deal with another schedule shake-up. Fans will be treated to another double bill on Monday night, with both episodes dropping at 6am on iPlayer.

Oscar Branning

This week saw the return of Oscar Branning – and he’s set to up the drama next week(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

For those who want to wait until the evening, the first episode will be airing on BBC One at 7.30pm, with the second airing straight after at 8pm.


The soap will air in its usual 7.30pm slot on Tuesday, however will be taken off air again next Wednesday for the second semi-final of the Women’s Euros. Business will commence as usual on Thursday evening, as the soap will be back in its usual 7.30pm slot.

Spoilers for next week tease an explosive week for the soap, as the new owners of the Queen Vic will be revealed. It’s the end of an era for the Carters as Linda and her mother Elaine agreed to sell. Next week, the auction will begin as a bidding war ensues between the Slaters, the Beales and a developer. But who will emerge victorious?

Elsewhere, it looks like Max Branning may not be too far away from returning to Walford as Linda Carter decides to tell Oscar the fact her daughter Annie is his biological half-sister. Oscar’s father Max Branning has no idea Linda’s daughter is his child.

Article continues below

Oscar decides Max needs to know the truth and is keen to tell him, leaving Linda terrified. Lauren Branning is tasked with trying to reason with her brother – is Max’s return sooner than we think?

Related articles

EastEnders spoilers see locals divided over Martin Fowler twist in Queen Vic bid

After checking to make sure Stacey was certain, Kat excitedly agreed, and as the BBC soap picks up on Monday (21st July 2025), the Slaters are happily…

6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Kat’s Vic fight & Oscar learns Linda’s secret | 21–24 July 2025

Next week in EastEnders (21–24 July 2025) promises to shake Albert Square to its very core, delivering a perfect storm of family tensions, heart-wrenching secrets, and classic…

BBC questioned over Jamie Borthwick’s EastEnders future after MasterChef scandal

BBC bosses are facing questions about EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick’s future on the soap in the aftermath of John Torode’s MasterChef sacking. The actor – who plays…

SHOCKING NEWS!! 😱 Major comings, goings & returns in EastEnders!

Just when we thought we’d finally recovered from the EastEnders Christmas episodes – which saw Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) attacked with a shovel by a mystery assailant – soap…

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks ‘very happy’ as she wears dress she bought 22 years agoHas EastEnders’ Nigel left Walford for good? New spoilers confirm his fate

EastEnders’ Nigel Bates said an emotional goodbye to Walford this week, but the show has now revealed whether he will be back. Nigel’s wife Julie was brought…

EastEnders devastation as news about Nigel reaches Phil

Phil Mitchell worries about his friend again (Picture: BBC) There’s panic ahead for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) in EastEnders next week as word reaches him that his close friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley)…