Episode 4772 (27 December 2013)

In the Vic, Mick and Linda Carter are woken by their bulldog, Lady Di, pulling the duvet off them. Linda fumes to learn Mick’s promised Shirley and Tina can move in and refuses to live with Shirley. Mick pleads that he wants his sisters around him. Johnny, Mick and Linda’s son, picks up the post, pocketing a handwritten envelope addressed to the Carter family. Linda relents on the condition that as soon as Shirley messes up, she’s gone. Mick reveals Shirley and Tina will have to share a room in case Nancy ever arrives.

Shirley and Tina are in their element settling into the Vic, although Shirley’s no fan of Lady Di. Shirley produces a bottle of champagne to toast the Carters but it’s flat. Linda’s in a flap as the internet’s down and she can’t video call her son, Lee, a soldier in Afghanistan. Linda avoids talking to her mother, Elaine, when she phones Mick. Tina discovers Alfie’s left his signed West Ham shirt behind. When Linda fires Tracey, Shirley warns it’s like the ravens leaving the Tower of London.

Mick’s dismayed to realise they’re out of beer after Alfie and Kat’s final happy hour. He turns to Shirley to supply them on tick from the Minute Mart but Shirley admits she’s quit. Linda pounces, insisting it’s time for Shirley to go, and flounces out in search of Wi-Fi. On the Square, Linda encounters Sharon, who’s initially frosty with her, but softens when Linda reveals her son is away fighting and lets her use the B&B’s internet to video call Lee. The pair bond over slagging off Shirley; Linda calls Shirley ‘Crow face’. Meanwhile, Mick returns Alfie’s West Ham shirt and pleads Kat and Alfie’s help in stocking the Vic – one West Ham fan to another. Back at the Vic, Johnny covertly hands Mick the handwritten envelope. Linda gives Tracey her job back, and Mick’s hugely relieved when Alfie arrives with a taxi full of beer kegs. The Carters open the Vic. Linda and Mick share a smile as the punters flock in.

Sharon berates Phil for letting Shirley’s family buy the Vic. Phil insists he had no idea. Shirley quits her job at the Minute Mart. Sharon sneers Shirley won’t last in the Vic. When the pub’s without beer, Shirley turns to Phil but he’s reluctant to supply her alcohol from R&R for fear of Sharon’s reaction. Shirley sneers that he’s a wimp. Sharon crows that Shirley’s messed up at the Vic already. Later, Phil changes his mind and agrees to help Shirley, suggestively hinting that one good turn deserves another. Later in bed, post-coital, Phil turns to someone next to him – just like old times. But it’s not Shirley – it’s Sharon.

Lucy’s pleased to learn Peter and Lola broke up. Danny apologises for ignoring Lucy’s calls over Christmas and gives her a silver heart necklace. A heartbroken Lola tries talking to Billy about Peter, but he’s preoccupied running Butcher’s Joints without Janine. Terry enquires about a flat in Walford. Peter finds Cindy’s purse stuffed with cash and realises she stole Phil’s £10,000. Peter’s adamant Ian must tell Phil as Dexter’s been repaying the money. Ian refuses, fearful of Phil’s reaction. A smitten Lucy invites Danny to stay on the Beales’ sofa. Ian guiltily gives Lola hot chocolate on the house.

Alfie posts the Vic keys through the letter box. In No. 23, Kat insists Michael’s Dracula armchair has to go. Alfie feels lost without the Vic. Kat tells him to make the world a brilliant place for their baby. Alfie despairs about his job options and refuses to help Mick source beer for the Vic but, later, reconsiders and offers Mick a helping hand – he’s moving on.

Roxy’s collared by a suspicious Ronnie as she sneaks out of the house and lies she’s heading to the sales. Later, Ronnie claims to have seen Roxy with Carl. Roxy’s defensive, claiming they just bumped into each other. Ronnie triumphantly reveals she didn’t actually see Roxy with Carl - but she didn’t need to.

Cast

 * Sharon Rickman..................................................................................Letitia Dean
 * Phil Mitchell.................................................................................Steve McFadden
 * Mick Carter..........................................................................................Danny Dyer
 * Linda Carter.......................................................................................Kellie Bright
 * Tina Carter........................................................................Luisa Bradshaw-White
 * Shirley Carter.....................................................................................Linda Henry
 * Johnny Carter......................................................................................Sam Strike
 * Ian Beale.....................................................................................Adam Woodyatt
 * Peter Beale...........................................................................................Ben Hardy
 * Lucy Beale......................................................................................Hetti Bywater
 * Danny Pennant....................................................................................Gary Lucy
 * Lola Pearce.................................................................................Danielle Harold
 * Alfie Moon......................................................................................Shane Richie
 * Kat Moon.....................................................................................Jessie Wallace
 * Ronnie Mitchell...................................................................Samantha Womack
 * Roxy Mitchell...................................................................................Rita Simons
 * Billy Mitchell.................................................................................Perry Fenwick
 * Terry Spraggan............................................................................Terry Alderton
 * Cindy Williams.................................................................................Mimi Keene
 * Dennis Rickman...........................................................................Harry Hickles
 * Tracey.........................................................................................Jane Slaughter