13 million viewers watched the first episode of EastEnders, broadcast on 19th February 1985. It began with a bang as, Arthur Fowler, Ali Osman and Den Watts forced their way into Reg Cox's flat and found Reg near death. Several weeks later Nick Cotton was revealed as Reg's murderer. "Poor old Reg" was written by Gerry Huxham.
EastEnders was created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland as a soap opera to rival Coronation Street and draw big audiences to BBC One. Set in the fictional Borough of Walford, E20, it dramatised the lives of working class east end Londoners. Introducing the soap in the Radio Times Tony Holland wrote that "gossip, intrigue and scandal are high on the list of daily events".
Clever casting was important to EastEnders success. Many faces were unfamiliar, but the inclusion of Wendy Richard - famous as the glamorous Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served? - playing against type as dowdy cardigan clad Pauline Fowler, was an imaginative move. This strategy continued with Barbara Windsor joining the cast.
EastEnders was broadcast at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an omnibus on Sunday. More episodes were added over the years to satisfy demand, a third in 1994 and a fourth in 2001. The programme also spawned an online spin-off, E20.
February anniversaries
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Blue Peter 5000th edition
1 February 2018 -
Face to Face
4 February 1959 -
First TV Sports commentary
4 February 1937 -
The Wombles
5 February 1973 -
A Night of Comic Relief
5 February 1988 -
Greenwich Time Signal - the 'pips'
5 February 1924 -
Grange Hill
8 February 1978 -
BBC Three is launched
9 February 2003 -
Doomwatch
9 February 1970 -
Bagpuss
12 February 1974 -
The EBU - European Broadcasting Union formed
12 February 1950 -
Potter's Wheel Interlude
16 February 1953 -
Start of Six-Five Special
16 February 1957 -
The Apprentice
16 February 2005 -
Hospital Watch
17 February 1986 -
Elizabeth R
17 February 1971 -
One Man and His Dog
17 February 1976 -
Antiques Roadshow
18 February 1979 -
Tonight launched
18 February 1957 -
Wogan
18 February 1985 -
EastEnders first episode
19 February 1985 -
Open All Hours
20 February 1976 -
First national broadcast of prices for farmers
20 February 1925 -
General Election results televised for the first time
23 February 1950 -
Civilisation
23 February 1969 -
Yes Minister
25 February 1980 -
Mr Benn
25 February 1971