BBC One is airing the iconic two-hander between Den and Angie Watts TONIGHT (June 23) that saw her lie about having a terminal illness to stop ‘Dirty’ Den leaving her for another woman.
But how did Angie’s terrible actions pave the way for the biggest divorce twist ever in what remains the most-watched UK soap episode of all time? Here’s everything you need to know…
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What classic episode of EastEnders is airing tonight?
With EastEnders on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, BBC One have confirmed they’ll be airing classic episodes of EastEnders every Tuesday in the soap’s usual slot – beginning this evening.
First up is the iconic two-hander between Den and Angie Watts which originally aired in October 1986.
The episode – the soap’s 174th – saw Den drop the bombshell to Angie that he’s leaving her for one of his other women, Jan.
But Angie – who was desperate to keep Den in her clutches – lied that she was terminally ill and only had six months to live.
How did tonight’s episode pave the way for the most-watched UK soap episode of all time?
Angie managed to convince Den to stay with her terrible lie – and even whisk her away for a second honey moon on the Orient Express.
But the alcoholic shot herself in the foot when she got drunk on the way home and confessed her terrible secret to a barman while in earshot of Den.
Seething Den bided his time and got his sweet revenge during EastEnders’ iconic Christmas episode back in 1986.
Handing Angie an envelope, Den then revealed he knew all about her shocking lie and had been planning his revenge for ages: “This, my sweet,” he sneered, “is a letter from my solicitor telling you that your husband has filed a petition for divorce.
“It also tells you to get yourself a solicitor pretty damn quick. Happy Christmas, Ange!”
Decades on, it’s still the most-watched episode of all time, with over 30 million households tuning in to witness the drama.
What other classic episodes are airing and when?
EastEnders have confirmed that the classic episodes will also include Sharongate and the explosive reveal of Max and Stacey’s affair.
In addition, fans can take a trip down memory lane by watching other old episodes from 2008 on BBC iPlayer.
Four consecutive episodes will be shown on BBC Four a week – before being added to the iPlayer.
The episodes on offer last night (June 22) allowed fans to relive Frank’s funeral and Bianca’s struggles to protect her kids.
