'EastEnders' bosses are planning "gripping and heart-breaking" boat-based drama for the soap's 35th anniversary episodes.
Mick and Linda Carter
The BBC One show's executive producer Jon Sen says the programme will put on an "unmissable week of episodes" next month, which will take place on the River Thames - which famously features on the programme's credits - when the Carters host a boat party to celebrate their Best Pub award win.
He said: "For the 35th anniversary, we wanted to entertain the 'EastEnders' audience on the iconic river which has heralded the start of the show for 35 years.
"This unmissable week of episodes is destined to be exciting, gripping and heart-breaking - it will be a week that will go down in EastEnders history."
A number of episodes will play out the same events but from different characters' perspectives.
As well as hosts Mick and Linda Carter - played by Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright - other boat party attendees are expected to be Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), his son Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell), and his returning son Peter Beale, who will return to Walford and be portrayed by 'EastEnders' newcomer Dayle Hudson, among others.
And the drama looks set to reach a climax when one of the boat party revellers falls overboard and drowns in the Thames.
A source on the soap told The Sun newspaper: "Where better place for a major death than on the Thames itself, which is so central to the show?
"Trouble has been brewing in Walford for a while, and they decided it was the perfect occasion to see off a big name.
"It's thought that as part of the dramatic scenes Sharon will give birth on the boat, but she is just one of many who could see themselves go overboard to an icy, watery death."
It comes after Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) recently revealed 'EastEnders' bosses have something "exciting" planned for the 35th anniversary eps.
She said: "There's a lot going on and it's really exciting at the moment, it's great.
"[The soap bosses] want it to be so different and something that's a highlight, if you like, for the year - there's a lot of planning, and a lot goes into it."
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