Main content

It's the day of the square's Christmas tree light switch-on, but Jane finds herself distracted by Bobby. After a heart-to-heart with Vincent, Kim makes a shocking discovery.

Bobby continues to be vocal about not wanting to swap bedrooms with Kathy. Later, Kathy finds Jane up in Bobby’s bedroom, but the mood turns sour when Kathy suggests that Jane spoils Bobby. A defensive Jane questions whether Kathy letting her children think she was dead was a good parenting decision; a hurt Kathy walks out. Jane finds Kathy on the market and apologises. In the café, Kathy assures Jane that if she ever crosses a line, to let her know, but Jane admits that she agrees that she spoils Bobby.

When Kathy suggests that maybe Bobby could do with some professional help, Jane is adamant that he’s under control. Mick’s unimpressed to see that Ian’s manufactured a Christmas tree sponsorship sign which mainly represents Beales’ – Mick insists that Ian get the sign reprinted. Later, thinking he’s alone in the house, Bobby heads up to his bedroom and starts stuffing Kathy’s belongings into a bag. As the Square gather, Ian looks proudly on at his and the Vic’s sponsored Christmas tree. When Elaine tells Ian that it should be Linda doing the countdown, Ian insists that there’s a certain knack to it. Jane walks out of her bedroom to find Bobby with the holdall full of Kathy’s things and chases him upstairs. When Jane tries to grab the bag, the tussle leads to Bobby shoving Jane down the stairs. As Ian does the countdown, Elaine leaps forward and presses the button to light up the tree. Bobby creeps down the stairs towards Jane’s lifeless body...

Carmel finds Kush and asks to have a word back at his. Back at the flat, Carmel demands to know why Kush didn’t tell her that he was the father of Stacey’s baby. Kush assures Carmel that he didn’t cheat on Shabnam – they were on a break. Carmel reminds Kush how huge the situation is – there’s a baby involved. When Stacey returns, Carmel firmly tells Stacey that she can’t let Martin bring up another man’s child, believing it’s his. Carmel gets her phone out to call Shabnam, but Stacey snatches it off her, claiming that if anyone tells Shabnam, it’ll be her or Kush. Later, Shabnam admits to Kush that she didn’t go Christmas shopping, she went to see the doctor; she didn’t want to worry him. Shabnam informs Kush that the doctor said that there could be a number of reasons for why her periods have stopped; they’re going to perform some tests.

Stacey walks in on Kush embracing a teary Shabnam and assumes Kush has told her the truth – Kush swiftly explains why Shabnam is upset. Back at the flat, Shabnam opens up to Kush and Carmel about how she still finds it difficult to see mothers and babies. Carmel suggests that she pays for Shabnam to go private and have her mind put at rest. Alone with Kush, Carmel states that she’s not going to tell Shabnam the truth – she’s been through enough. At the switch on, Carmel tells Stacey that it’s not her job to tell anyone the truth – but that she’s not going to walk away from her grandchild.

A weary Sharon tells Phil how much he’s hurting her by choosing alcohol over her - she’s unsure whether she can trust him. Phil is adamant that he can handle a few drinks a day. Ben’s sorely disappointed when he clocks that Phil hasn’t gone clean. Sharon suggests meeting Phil halfway – she wants him to stop drinking in secret.

Noticing Kim’s quietness, Vincent questions whether there’s something on her mind. Kim admits Claudette filled her in on his father dying at Christmas. Kim pushes for Vincent to open up. Vincent explains that his dad was the most important person in his life; his hero. Vincent admits that Christmas has been painful for him ever since, but acknowledges that he needs to try and move on – Kim and Pearl are all that matter now. Kim’s in high spirits as she makes a very alcoholic Christmas cake. As she bakes, the doorbell goes – Vincent goes to get it. Kim oversees Vincent being handed a package and assumes it’s a present for her. When Vincent heads out, an excited Kim hunts for the package. Kim finds the wrapped box and sneakily opens it – she’s shocked when she discovers it’s drugs.

Aunt Babe finds Cora rummaging in the bins outside the Vic and smugly questions what Stan would think if he could see her now. Later, when Babe clocks Cora leaving the Vic toilets, she cruelly tells her that facilities are for customers only. Mick kindly hands Cora a drink for old time’s sake. Nancy can’t believe Babe’s coldness and berates her for being heartless.

Available now

30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

  • Neil Diamond

    Jingle Bell Rock

  • Everything Everything

    Spring Sun Winter Dread

  • Calexico

    Green Grows The Holly

  • Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters

    It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

  • Chris Rea

    Driving Â鶹ԼÅÄ For Christmas

  • David Bowie & Bing Crosby

    Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy

  • CeeLo Green

    Dreaming of a White Christmas

  • Christina Perri

    Please Come Â鶹ԼÅÄ For Christmas

  • SOL3 MIO

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Credits

Role Contributor
Jane Beale Laurie Brett
Bobby Beale Eliot Carrington
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Sharon Mitchell Letitia Dean
Ben Mitchell Harry Reid
Abi Branning Lorna Fitzgerald
Jay Brown Jamie Borthwick
Kathy Sullivan Gillian Taylforth
Kush Kazemi Davood Ghadami
Carmel Kazemi Bonnie Langford
Shabnam Kazemi Rakhee Thakrar
Stacey Branning Lacey Turner
Martin Fowler James Bye
Vincent Hubbard Richard Blackwood
Kim Fox-Hubbard Tameka Empson
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Nancy Carter Maddy Hill
Babe Smith Annette Badland
Elaine Peacock Maria Friedman
Pam Coker Lin Blakley
Les Coker Roger Sloman
Cora Cross Ann Mitchell
Dennis Rickman Bleu Landau
Lily Branning Aine Garvey
Writer Daran Little
Director John Greening
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Broadcasts