Summary[]
Ian has a surprise for Laura which leaves her reeling. Phil and Sonia try to make peace with terrible news.
|
At the hospital, Sonia and Phil are united in their fears for Jamie. Ian visits the Fowlers to pick up the papers. Mark implores him not to give up on Laura. Ian retorts that he doesn't intend to bring up another man's baby - again. The Slater girls give Little Mo some wedding gifts. There's something old (their mum's necklace), something new (a nightie), something borrowed (Lynne's perfume) and something blue (a raunchy video!). Sonia and Phil receive some terrible news. The doctor confirms that Jamie has irreparable liver damage and nothing can be done. He suggests that now's the time for family and friends to see him one last time. Billy frets about the wedding preparations, unaware of Jamie's desperate condition. Phil and Sonia don't know whether to keep Jamie in the dark. Sonia thinks he should be allowed to slip away peacefully. Ian and Laura appear to be having a perfect Christmas Day. Ian suggests that the twins visit Pauline later on so he can spend some time alone with Laura. When he takes them round, Pauline urges Ian to rethink. Sonia wishes Jamie a Merry Christmas. Jamie claims he's feeling better, and asks when he can leave the hospital. He confides in Sonia that the accident was his fault, and that Martin shouldn't be blamed. Garry and Charlie have a chat about the importance of sticking together through thick and thin. Mo interrupts them with the news that Belinda won't be coming to the wedding. Charlie tries to hurry up the girls. Billy arrives with a Christmas present for Jamie. He breaks down in tears when he hears the news from Phil. Meanwhile, Robbie and Jim say their farewells to Jamie. Billy goes in to see Jamie. Phil stays outside, scared to face the truth. Billy apologises for his bad treatment of Jamie in the past. Jamie doesn't understand why Billy's so choked up. The Slaters are admiring Little Mo's dress when someone hammers at the front door. Billy demands to see Little Mo, even though it's supposed to be bad luck. He's too upset to go through with the wedding. Sonia comforts Peggy when she finds out the truth. They think Jamie's asleep but he overhears their frantic discussion. Peggy calls Charlie to say she can't come to the wedding. Phil's already made his excuses. Billy pours his heart out to Little Mo. When Billy remembers that Jamie had asked him not to postpone the wedding, it's back on again! The Slaters are relieved. Billy asks Garry to take over as best man. Ian delivers his bombshell. The baby can't be his because he had the snip months ago. Laura admits to a one night stand but insists she still loves Ian. He's packed her bags and throws her out into the street. Pauline tries to lift Martin's gloom with a message of hope for the future. As long as there are people who love him, he can face anything. Meanwhile, a shocked Laura wanders the Square alone. Jamie knows something's very wrong and he's scared. He asks Sonia what's happening. She breaks down in tears and holds him close. He whispers that he'll be all right as long as she's with him. |
Credits[]
Main cast[]
- Jamie Mitchell - Jack Ryder
- Sonia Jackson - Natalie Cassidy
- Phil Mitchell - Steve McFadden
- Billy Mitchell - Perry Fenwick
- 'Little' Mo Morgan - Kacey Ainsworth
- Peggy Mitchell - Barbara Windsor
- Laura Beale - Hannah Waterman
- Ian Beale - Adam Woodyatt
- Pauline Fowler - Wendy Richard
- Martin Fowler - James Alexandrou
- Charlie Slater - Derek Martin
- Kat Slater - Jessie Wallace
- Lynne Hobbs - Elaine Lordan
- Zoe Slater - Michelle Ryan
- Mo Harris - Laila Morse
- Garry Hobbs - Ricky Groves
- Robbie Jackson - Dean Gaffney
- Jim Branning - John Bardon
- Mark Fowler - Todd Carty
- Derek Harkinson - Ian Lavender
- Lucy Beale - Casey Anne Rothery
- Peter Beale - Joseph Shade
Guest cast[]
- Doctor - Christopher Ashley
Locations[]
- Albert Square
- 23 Albert Square - Living room, kitchen, hallway and bedroom
- 45 Albert Square - Backroom and kitchen
- Bridge Street
- 15A Turpin Road - Living room
- 89 George Street - Living room and bedroom
- Walford General Hospital - Jamie's ward and corridor
Dialogue[]
PAULINE FOWLER: You should never forget that people love you. Take whatever strength you need from that, and if you do, you can face anything.
LAURA BEALE: You can't throw me out it's Christmas day!
IAN BEALE: Christmas is cancelled.
Notes[]
- Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 13,080,000 viewers (7th place).
- This first episode of a two-part Christmas special was broadcast on a Wednesday at 6.20pm and was 35 minutes long.
- For its 2025 upload to BBC iPlayer as "EastEnders: Christmas 1986 - 2007", this episode was entitled 2002 - Part 1.
This episode is available to buy from the selected retailers below.
| Retailers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Note: We are not affiliate with any retailers and have not received any monetary incentives, this is purely to inform about the BBC's products. | ||||
