Programme Information

For one night only...

EastEnders

Friday 19 February on BBC ONE

• www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders
• Programme copy

For the first time in its 25-year history, EastEnders goes live on Friday 19 February in an action-packed episode that sees Ricky and Bianca celebrating their wedding ... and also reveals Archie's killer.

To celebrate the momentous occasion and EastEnders' 25th anniversary, Programme Information talks to some of the stars to find out their favourite moment from one of the nation's best-loved soaps and also which character, past or present, they would love to have played.

Samantha Womack plays Ronnie

What was your first EastEnders memory?

"We did a tour of the set and I remember watching a scene with Phil and Stella in the kitchen."

Which other character would you have loved to have played and why?

"I loved Angie. All of the shouting and screaming in freaked-out dramatic scenes – they're iconic."

What are you most looking forward to about the live episode?

"Finally seeing the script! It'll be nice to know what I'm actually doing ... and working with my on-screen sister [Roxy – Rita Simons] of course. We always laugh."

Most memorable EastEnders moment?

"Reading that Danielle was going to be splatted all over the pavement!"

Why do you think it is still so successful today?

"I think all the drama makes people feel better about their own lives."

Rita Simons plays Roxy

What was your first EastEnders memory?

"The auditions. I remember meeting Sam [who plays Roxy's sister, Ronnie]. She turned up in flip-flops and covered in mud. Hilarious."

Which other character would you have loved to have played and why?

"Definitely Sharon. I liked her fluffy-mo-hair. Oh, and she got to snog Nigel Harman!"

What are you most looking forward to about the live episode?

"It being finished and getting down to the bar afterwards!"

Most memorable EastEnders moment?

"Ooh, I'd have to say Roxy getting the Vic."

Why do you think it is still so successful today?

"I think the stories are really interesting. They have a touch of realism which I think people like."

Shona McGarty plays Whitney

What was your first EastEnders memory?

"Meeting the cast – I was absolutely terrified. I messed everything up so badly."

Which other character would you have loved to have played and why?

"I'd love to play Jean [Gillian Wright], just to be crazy. It looks like fun."

What are you most looking forward to about the live episode?

"The adrenaline rush of it all. I think it's going to be really exciting."

Most memorable EastEnders moment?

"When Bianca left Ricky on the train, back in the day – real heartbreaking stuff."

Why do you think it is still so successful today?

"Well it's aimed at every kind of audience you can imagine and it deals with any issue really well."

Devon Anderson plays Billie

What was your first EastEnders memory?

"Cold tomato soup, with the skin on. That's when I was little of course, and now I just can't eat it!"

Which other character would you have loved to have played and why?

"Grant. I'd love to know what it's like being bald. I always get too hot in the summer so I think it'd be good."

What are you most looking forward to about the live episode?

"Just being involved is great."

Most memorable EastEnders moment?

"When Grant threw Phil down the pit in the arches, after he found about the affair with Sharon."

Why do you think it is still so successful today?

"Because it's good – amazing storylines, amazing writers and amazing actors."

Lindsey Coulson plays Carol

What was your first EastEnders memory?

"Gosh it was so long ago. I just remember being like a rabbit caught in the headlights. I kept calling people by the wrong name and all sorts. It's like being on a hamster's wheel and you just have to try and keep up with the pace."

Which other character would you have loved to have played and why?

"Dot. She's such a great character and the attention to detail is incredible. Everything is moving so quickly all around her but June [Brown] always finds a way to make the little moments work."

Most memorable EastEnders moment?

"Serving the papers – when Den gave Angie the divorce papers in the pub. That's what springs to mind."

Why do you think it is still so successful today?

"Well I think people can identify with the characters. They're gritty, they're real. It's the ups and downs of family life and we all know what that's like."