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Occasionally EastEnders often references real life events, these scenes are often last minute filmed scenes and are inserted to keep up with current events

1980s[]

Boat show (1987)[]

Synopsis needed.
Episode aired: ? 1987


Wimbledon (1987)[]

Synopsis needed.
Episode aired: ? 1987


The General Election Results (1987)[]

James Willmott-Brown asks if Colin Russell has Post Election blues and they discuss the result. For a full transcript click here. Episode aired:

The General Election Result (16 June 1987)


New Years Eve (1987)[]

The chimes of Big Ben were integrated into the episode in perfect time to appear as if that section of the episode was live. Den Watts had brought a television into the bar of the Queen Vic, and he and the punters watched the chimes in their entirety at midnight. In the original broadcast, when the scene cross-faded into the Big Ben footage that the Vic was watching, a BBC continuity announcer said "And a very happy New Year, from BBC One".
Episode aired: 31 December 1987 - Part 2

New Years Eve Reference (31 December 1987)


Hillsborough disaster (1989)[]

Pauline and Arthur react to news on the radio about 'the Hillsborough tragedy last Saturday' [15 April 1989]. Pauline contemplates what it would've been like if Arthur and Martin had been there. Arthur mentions that he got Frank to have a whip-round for the victims' families.
Episode aired: 20 April 1989

Hillsborough Disaster Reference (20 April 1989)


Deacon Blue UK Tour (1989)[]

Diane Butcher and Paul Priestly go to see Deacon Blue, who were indeed playing in London at the Hammersmith Apollo on the date of the broadcast episode, as part of their UK tour of their number one album, When the World Knows Your Name.
Episode aired: 25 May 1989

Deacon Blue UK Tour Reference (25 May 1989)


1990s[]

50th Anniversary of the Second World War (1995)[]

The whole episode is dedicated to 50th Anniversary of the Second World War. There is no Duff Duff at the end.
Episode aired: 8 May 1995

Episode 1128 (8 May 1995)


Eclipse (1999)[]

Ian Beale, Melanie Beale, Steven Beale, Peter Beale and Lucy Beale travel down to Devon and manage to see an the eclipse.
Episode aired: 10 August 1999

Eclipse (10 August 1999)


2000s[]

UEFA Euro (2000)[]

Patrons of The Queen Victoria Pub can been seen watching the football match until Barry Evans trips over the Satellite cable and cuts the picture.

UEFA Euro 2000 Reference (17 June 2000)

Episode aired: 17 June 2000


England wins against Germany (2000)[]

A newspaper can been seen at the start of the episode Ian Beale and Laura Beale discuss England winning the latest match, Ian mentions has she forgot about Romania and Laura says it does matter at least we are not going home losers.

England wins against Germany

Episode aired: 19 June 2000


Remembrance Day (2005)[]

Alfie Moon and Nana Moon travel to Normandy and hold a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day. This episode won "Best Single Episode" at the British Soap Awards
Episode aired: 11 November 2005

Episode 3044 (11 November 2005)


FIFA World Cup (2006)[]

Synopsis needed.
Episode aired: June 2006


Election of President Barack Obama (2008)[]

Synopsis needed.
Episode aired: ? November 2008


Michael Jackson's Death (2009)[]

Denise wishing Patrick Trueman a happy birthday, before telling him Michael Jackson had passed away.
Episode aired: 26 June 2009

Patrick-Michael-Jackson-Death

2010s[]

General Election Results (2010)[]

Darren Miller and Minty Peterson discuss the result after seeing a copy of the Walford Gazette displaying the outcome.
Episode aired: 7 May 2010

General Election Results References (7 May 2010)


Spending Review (2010)[]

A scene was shown with Patrick Trueman and Charlie Slater discussing the impact of the Chancellor's plans. .
Episode aired: 21 October 2010

Episode 4091 (21 October 2010)


Royal Wedding (2011)[]

Ben Mitchell, Jay Mitchell and Abi Branning watched the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on TV.
Episode aired: 29 April 2011

Ben, Jay and Abi watching the Royal Wedding


Olympic Flame (Live) (2012)[]

Billy Mitchell ran with the Olympic torch in a live 7 minute section of EastEnders.
Episode aired: 23 July 2012 - Part 2

Billy Mitchell Olympic Torch (2012)


Team GB Olympics scene (2012)[]

Jean Slater, Tyler Moon and Ray Dixon praise Team GB and how proud they feel to be living in London.
Episode aired: 7 August 2012

Olympics Episode 4473 (7 August 2012)


Andy Murray's Wimbledon Win (2013)[]

Kim Fox discussed with Jay Brown the idea of turning Kim's Palace into the 'Wimbledon Palace'.
Episode aired: 9 July 2013


Birth of Prince George (2013)[]

Dot Branning discussed the birth of with Prince George with her granddaughter Abi Branning.
Episode aired: 23 July 2013


Nelson Mandela's Death (2013)[]

Carol Jackson and Denise Fox discussed their memories of the day Mandela was released from prison after 27 years.
Episode aired: 9 December 2013


UK Floods (2014)[]

Entering the upstairs kitchen of the Vic whilst reading the Walford Gazette, Mick Carter asked Linda Carter what she is like at woodwork, adding “this weather – might need to build an ark. It says here the Thames is bursting her banks all over the gaff.”

After Linda suggested the floods wouldn’t hit Walford, Mick replied: “Who knows? Some people have lost everything, bless ’em.”.
Episode aired: 14 February 2014


England's World Cup Defeat (2014)[]

Mick Carter and Nancy Carter discussed the 2-1 defeat England saw against Italy in Brazil.
Episode aired: 16 June 2014


Scottish Referendum Result (2014)[]

Tamwar made a reference to the result of the Scottish Referendum by simply just saying "Scotland deciding against independence".
Episode aired: 19 September 2014

Scottish Referendum Result Reference (19 September 2014)


Birth of Princess Charlotte (2015)[]

Linda Carter read from the newspaper that the Princess name is to be Charlotte Elizabeth Diana Windsor. After Nancy said she was bored by the news of the royal baby while outside the Queen Vic, Linda asked: "Why'd you have to be so cynical?"

She added: "I might call our unborn child Charlotte if she's a girl" - joking that she'd name the baby Charlotte just to spite Nancy.
Episode aired: 5 May 2015

Linda talks about the Princess new name (2015)


General Election Voting Day (2015)[]

Ian Beale is seen picking up his polling card and Jane Beale asks where he is going and he replies "I'm going to vote". (The episode coincide with the same date of voting in the real world.)
Episode aired: 7 May 2015

Ian going to vote with his Poll Card (7 May 2015)


General Election Results (2015)[]

Carol discover Sonia on the sofa watching TV, asking: "Have you been up all night?" Sonia replied: "I've been watching the results come in." Carol added: "I bet Cameron's got a bigger smile on his face than you have this morning."
Episode aired: 8 May 2015

General Election Results (2015)


Longest Serving Monarch (2015)[]

Linda asks Mick how they are going to celebrate The Queen being the longest serving monarch.
Episode aired: 8 September 2015

Linda talking about the Longest Serving Monarch (2015)


BBC Three's move to Online (2016)[]

Sonia is seen looking at the new BBC Three website on the day of its launch. With Tina remarking that BBC Three is too old for Sonia.
Episode aired: 16 February 2016

BBC Three (16 February 2016)


EU Referendum (2016)[]

Honey asks Billy "So are you In or Out?" Bill asks "of what". Honey replies "The EU Billy ,we suppose to be voting today. It is important".
Episode aired: 23 June 2016

EU Referendum Reference (23 June 2016)


Brexit (2016)[]

Linda mentions to Mick she doesn't know who to listen to and doesn't know whether Brexit will leave them better of or not.
Episode aired: 28 June 2016

Brexit Reference (28 June 2016)


New £5 note (2016)[]

Babe is in Minute Mart, she pays Honey for her purchase and Honeys tells her that the five pound note does not look right and if its Scottish, Babe replies it's the new five pound note. Linda mentions she has had a few in The Queen Victoria today.
Episode aired: 23 September 2016

New Five Pound Note (23 September 2016)


General Election Voting Day (2017)[]

Jane Beale and Kathy Beale discuss the importance of voting in the 2017 election and Jane asks Kathy who she is voting for, Kathy replies the same as last year, my way.
Episode aired: 8 June 2017

General Election Voting Day Reference (8 June 2017)


Grand National Winner (2017)[]

This episode includes a scene filmed less than two days before the broadcast, referencing the 2017 Grand National and its winner, One For Arthur, but the scene was criticised for a continuity error.
Episode aired: 10 April 2017

Placeholder


General Election Results (2017)[]

Carmel Kazemi references the results of the election and Billy Mitchell mentions him and Honey Mitchell stayed up to watch the results as Honey likes David Dimbleby. Honey then says that it was a bit predictable.
Episode aired: 9 June 2017

Election Result Reference (9 June 2017)


GCSE Grade Changes (2017)[]

Bex Fowler shows Martin Fowler her GCSE results but Martin is confused about the grades being in numbers rather than letters, Sonia Jackson explains the grading system has changed from letters to numbers.
Episode aired: 24 August 2017

GCSE Grade Changes (24 August 2017)


Meghan Markle and Prince Henry's Engagement (2017)[]

On the day of Meghan Markle and Prince Henry's engagement, Shakil Kazemi reads out the news at the counter in Kathy's Cafe, prompting Kathy Beale to take his phone off him and tell him the drink he had ordered is on the house. She doesn't appear to return his phone. The following day, Mick Carter references the engagement in the Queen Victoria pub.
Episode aired: 27 November 2017

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Engagement Reference (27 November 2017)


Birth of Prince Louis (2018)[]

On the day of the birth of Prince Louis. Linda Carter says to Shirley Carter “8lb 7oz, that really is a healthy weight, isn’t it? If he’s got his daddy’s smile and mummy’s hair he’ll be perfect! Makes me wanna cry! Diana, a grandma again, all that joy she’s missing out on.”

Shirley replies “Linda why are you talking to me about this, I don’t care?”
Episode aired: 24 April 2018

Prince Louis' Birth Reference (24 April 2018)


Smear Test (2018)[]

Stacey Fowler tells Whitney Carter to go for a smear test as its five minutes that could save her life and what if at some point it's too late.
Episode aired: 8 May 2018

Smear Test Reference (8 May 2018)


Meghan Markle and Prince Henry's Upcoming Wedding (2018)[]

On the day prior of Meghan Markle and Prince Henry's wedding, Shakil Kazemi gives his mum Carmel Kazemi a t shirt as she is going to Windsor to watch the Royal wedding. Also at the end of the episode before the credits as a tribute Harry and Mehan's photo was shown.
Episode aired: 18 May 2018

Harry and Megan Wedding Reference (18 May 2018)
Harry and Megan Wedding Reference 2 (18 May 2018)


Royal Wedding Day/ FA Cup Final (2018)[]

On the day of the Royal Wedding Day and FA cup Final footage was shown in The Queen Victoria on opposite sides of the pub.
Episode aired: 21 May 2018

Royal Wedding (21 May 2018)
FA Cup Final (21 May 2018)


England beats Colombia World Cup (2018)[]

Mick Carter discussed England's win against Colombia with Callum "Halfway" Highway and Whitney Carter. Mick also referenced Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane.
Episode aired: 5 July 2018 - Part 1

World Cup Reference (5 July 2018 - Part 1)


England vs Croatia and David Davis resignation (2018)[]

Mick Carter discusses England's vs Croatia with Shirley Carter. he also referenced David Davis resignation.
Episode aired: 9 July 2018

World Cup and David Davis Resignation Reference (9 July 2018)


England's defeat to Croatia[]

Billy Mitchell references England's defeat to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup to Mel Owen and Hunter Owen
Episode aired: 12 July 2018

Placeholder


Me Too movement (2018)[]

Ross Swinden speaks about how women have all the power and that you have to walk on eggshells because of the Me Too movement.
Episode aired: 9 October 2018

Me Too Movement (9 October 2018)


Huw Edwards and Brexit (2019)[]

Jean Slater tells Stacey Fowler about a weird dream she had about Hue Edwards. Hue and Jean are on a dinner date but sitting at his newsroom desk and when Jeans asked him what he is going to order, he look at Jean and says "Plane crash for starters", "Rail strike for main and Brexit for afters." Then he leans across the table and kissed her.
Episode aired: 14 January 2019

Huw Edwards and Brexit Reference (14 January 2019)


Brexit again (2019)[]

Stacey Fowler asks Kat Moon how Alfie Moon will leave the country with no wallet. Mo Harris replies he probably can't, what this Brexit. Kat say to Mo "Oh shut up Paxman".
Episode aired: 24 January 2019 - Part 2

Brexit Reference (24 January 2019 - Part 2)


Birth of Archie/Liverpool and Tottenham (2019)[]

Honey Mitchell mentions to Louise Mitchell about the birth of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and mention his name is perfect, so natural and formal. Tiffany Butcher then says she does not get the big deal. She's just a woman having a baby. Honey replies that it better than Brexit or Liverpool and Tottenham.
Episode aired: 9 May 2019

Prince Archie Reference (9 May 2019)

Spice Girls Concert (2019)[]

Linda Carter mentions she forgot to get tickets to see the Spice Girls, Mick Carter tries to win tickets on a Radio phone in show but loses to his opponent Terry. Mick tries to buy the tickets from him but he will not sell them. Terry later turns up in The Queen Victoria and gives the tickets to Mick as he found out his wife doesn't actually like the Spice Girls.
Episode aired: 3 June 2019

Spice Girls Concert Reference (3 June 2019)


Cricket World Cup Result (2019)[]

Lewis Hamilton's British GP Win and England win the Cricket World Cup(2019). Keegan Baker informs Ben Mitchell about Lewis Hamilton's 2019 British GP Win. as well as England Winning the Cricket World Cup. However Ben is not interested.
Episode aired: 15 July 2019

Cricket World Cup Result References (15 July 2019)


A-Level Results Day (2019)[]

Bex Fowler is seen opening her exam results in front of Stuart Highway and her mother Sonia Jackson. She didn't get all A Stars but got enough to get into Oxford University.
Episode aired: 15 August 2019

A-Level Results Day Reference (15 August 2019)

GCSE Results Day (2019)[]

Tiffany Butcher is seen opening her exam results in front of Jean Slater and Kathy Beale. Episode aired: 22 August 2019

GCSE Results Day Reference (22 August 2019)


Conservatives Majority (2019)[]

Kathy- I just think people voted for something three years ago and they want that to happen. Everyone sick of being stuck and going nowhere. Karen - I haven't even heard of half of these places that turned Tory. Kathy - Well that's half the problem isn't it, London forget half the country exists. Bobby - I just hope the country isn't broke by the time I get to vote.

Tory Majority Reference (13 December 2019)


2020s[]

LEGO Sad Clown Poster (2020)[]

When Keegan argues with the receptionist at Walford General Hospital, a picture of a LEGO Sad Clown from the LEGO Minifigures Series 10 can be seen on the Bulletin Board
Episode aired: 2 March 2020

LEGO Sad Clown Reference (2 March 2020)

Lockdown acknowledgment (2020)[]

Sharon Watts and Ian Beale talk about the COVID19 lockdown. Another scene with Jagvir Panesar and Habiba Ahmed again mentions the suffer they endured during lockdown.  There are many more episodes with Lockdown Acknowledgement.
Episode aired: 10 September 2020

Lockdown Reference (10 September 2020)


United Kingdom leaves the European Union (2020)[]

When Mick Carter, Linda Carter and Lee Carter are in Joanna's Café, Ode to Joy was played to signify the United Kingdom was leaving in the European Union.
Episode aired: 31 December 2020

United Kingdom leaves the European Union Reference (31 December 2020)


Census (2021)[]

In one scene in Walford Park Karen Taylor mentions "She has enough on her plate filling in this Census thing. I mean how I am supposed to explain how our family works?" Mitch Baker replies "Yeah I guess there's no box to tick for used to be a couple had to beautiful children, was still hoping there was a little something there, but in the end.."

In another scene in the Taylors flat Karen mentions to Mitch that she has filled in the Census "Karen Taylor, her mate Mitch Baker and two kids but they didn't have space to put down the fifth family member". She then tell Mitch that Banjo can stay as he make Bailey Baker happy.
Episode aired: 18 March 2021

Census (18 March 2021)


Covid Vaccine (2021)[]

Patrick Trueman enters the Minute Mart looking very happy, and when Suki Panesar asked him what’s put him in such a good mood, he told her he had just received his second Covid vaccination. Karen Taylor – who gave her thoughts on the vaccination roll-out, mentioning how she thinks it’s strange how everything has happened so quickly and that they are being used as lab rat at the same time buying a packet cigarettes. After Patrick told Karen how he was gasping for air when he got Coronavirus last year, Karen tried to say how she was much younger than Suki and Patrick, so had plenty of time to worry about the vaccine, Suki responded: ‘Some of the best scientists have worked on this. And yet you reckon you know better? How’s that PHD working out for you, Karen.
Episode aired: 22 March 2021

Covid Vaccine Reference (22 March 2021)


European Football Championship (2021)[]

Whilst Nancy Carter is recovering from her hit and run, she mentions to Zack Hudson that she will be helping out behind the The Queen Victoria bar during the Euros.
Episode aired: 8 July 2021

European Champion League Reference (8 July 2021)


European Football Championship (2021)[]

Callum Highway mentions European Champion League and shows Ben Mitchell his England Scarf.
Episode aired: 9 July 2021

European Champion League Reference (9 July 2021)


England Looses the European Football Championship (2021)[]

Billy Mitchell mention to Bobby Beale about how he was 7, when England won the World Cup, he hope he lives long enough to see England win something else and he though with Harry Redknapp making a recent appearance that it was sign.

Kim Fox then interjects, saying "We should have brought on another attacker and killed them off when we were at 1-0. Had to put on Love Island in the end. To see Saka crying live on TV would have broken my heart". She then tell Billy and Bobby not to worry, it's the World Cup next year and walks off. Billy tells Bobby it will come come Bob, soon or later and he also walks off.
Episode aired: 12 July 2021

England Looses European Football Championship Reference (12 July 2021)


Traveling to Europe (2021)[]

Jean Slater tell Phil Mitchell "Most of us have travelled to France, it doesn't mark you out as special, although the same can't be said for the next generation. Expect you'll have to be posh to travel to Paris now that our passports have changed colour and we've stopped being European. Although there's a lot to be said for a holiday in Clacton."
Episode aired: 13 July 2021

European Reference (13 July 2021)


A-Level Results Day (2021)[]

Bobby Beale is seen telling his exam results to Kathy Beale, Dana Monroe and Harvey Monroe. He got A in Business, B in English and Religious Studies.
Episode aired: 10 August 2021

A-Level Results Day Reference (10 August 2021)


Brexit and COVID reference (2022)[]

Sharon Watts mentions both Brexit and COVID to Sam Mitchell after her return. “We’ve has Brexit, and COVID. We don’t need you here. Go home Sam“
Episode Aired: 19 April 2022


Queen Jubilee Party (2022)[]

Frankie Lewis begins talking about the Jubilee was is confused about the previous Jubilee. Linda Carter explains that was the Queens Gold Jubilee.
Episode Aired: 11 May 2022

Queen Jubilee Reference (11 May 2022)


Mark Noble and Eurovision results (2022)[]

Callum Highway and Frankie Lewis discuss Mark Noble Last Game for West Ham, the United Kingdom coming second place in Eurovision 2022 and Ukraine coming first while the song Sam Ryder sung, space man, plays in the background
Episode Aired: 16 May 2022

Eurovision talk (16 May 2022)


Queen Platinum Jubilee (2022)[]

Sonia Jackson watches The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - Trooping the Colour that is presented by Huw Edwards.
Episode Aired: 2 June 2022

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - Trooping the Colour Reference (2 June 2022)

Elizabeth Line opening (2022)[]

Kim Fox tells Janine Butcher that she’s doing a review of the new Elizabeth line. She mistakes Abbey Wood for abbey road.
Episode Aired: 8 June 2022

Elizabeth line mention


England wins UEFA Women's EURO (2022)[]

Kim Fox, Lola Pearce, Linda Carter and Rocky is seen in The Queen Victoria pub celebrating England win in the UEFA Women's EURO. Linda references Chloe Kelly showing her bra after she scores a goal. Kim mentions that Pearl Fox watched it and loved it.
Episode Aired: 1 August 2022

England wins UEFA Women's EURO Reference (1 August 2022)


Notting Hill Carnival (2022)[]

While discussing how much they’re enjoying Finlay and Felix Baker’s carnival themed party, Dana Monroe asks Harvey Monroe if he’s ever been to any carnivals like Notting Hill, which he says he has. This episode aired the same day as the carnival in real life.
Episode Aired: 29 August 2022

Notting Hill mention


The Queen's Lying-in-State (2022)[]

Kim Fox mentions to Karen Taylor she queued up to say goodbye to the Queen.
Episode Aired: 4 October 2022

Queen's Lying-in-State Reference (4 October (2022)


Energy Crisis (2022)[]

Chelsea Fox mentions to her mother Denise Fox about the Energy Crisis and her paying her bills.
Episode Aired: 10 October 2022

Energy Crisis Reference (10 October 2022)

England World Cup (2022)[]

Mick Carter pretends to forget Janine Carter's 12 week scan but then tells he hasn't forgot and then makes reference to the Lioness winning the Euros so why can the Men win too.
Episode Aired: 21 November 2022

England World Cup Reference (21 November 2022)

World Cup host country (2022)[]

While Kim Fox, Billy Mitchell, Mitch Baker, Karen Taylor and Eve Unwin discussing the World Cup. Eve mention she has not being able to get into it this year as it's be hosted somewhere it's illegal to be herself.
Episode Aired: 1 December 2022 - Part 1

World Cup Reference (1 December 2022 - Part 1)

World Cup Croatia vs Belgium (2022)[]

Linda Carter mentions to Janine Butcher that since it was her idea to throw a party the same day as the Croatia vs Belgium match can she make the Malt Wine Janine makes an excuse about uterine tenderness but Mick Carter offers. Mick makes a jokes about him making a naughty Malt Wine and Linda says she remember and this annoys Janine.
Episode Aired: 1 December 2022 - Part 2

Croatia vs Belgium Reference (1 December 2022 - Part 2)

International women’s day (2023)[]

When talking to Whitney Dean and trying to cheer her up, Chelsea Fox suggests she should mention its international women’s day so she can get time off to grieve for Peach Dean. Sam Mitchell and Bernadette Taylor later mention it in the cafe.
Episode Aired: 8 March 2023

End of tax year (2023)[]

When talking to Sonia Fowler, Reiss Colwell mentions that the end of the tax year is arriving. He also mentions Good Friday.
Episode Aired: 30 March 2023
Centre

USA Women Football (2023)[]

When talking to Stacey Slater, Eve Unwin mentions she was watching the USA Women Football.
Episode Aired: 27 July 2023
Centre

Other Information[]

  • EastEnders also marked the 100th anniversary of the First World War in 2014, see War Memorial.
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