Julia Smith: Last News

EastEnders viewers noticed a blunder in Thursday night's live episode.The iconic BBC soap had the nation watching on during the dramatic live episode as part of the programme’s 40th anniversary week. During it, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) gave birth with the help of Bianca Jackson and Lauren Branning, astonishingly nearby to the dead Reiss Colwell, her baby's father.The baby turned blue but thankfully, after being attended to, the newborn began to cry.The paramedics soon arrived, rescuing the trio from the pub.

Eagle-eyed EastEnders fans were quick to call out a slip-up during the soap's live episode earlier tonight.

EastEnders' 40th-anniversary episode was chock-full of drama, and the excitement didn't end with the credits! As fans eagerly jumped online at 8.30 to cast their vote on who should be Denise's love interest, they were greeted by an unexpected second poll – what should Sonia Fowler name her baby? During the intense hour-long special, viewers watched Sonia go into labour amidst a fiery ordeal at the Queen Vic, all while Reiss Colwell met a tragic fate before her very eyes. As Lauren Branning and Bianca Jackson rushed to Sonia's aid, Lauren enquired if she'd thought of any names.

The drama on Albert Square ramps up for EastEnders' 40th anniversary with the highly anticipated live episode coming up on Thursday 20 February. Eager fans have noticed a juicy nugget about Sonia's storyline, thanks to the public vote which closes at 7.10pm. Viewers are voting for the biggest story twist: who Denise should pair up with, Ravi or Jack, and also to name Sonia's baby daughter – will it be Julia or Toni, honouring the show's legendary creators, Julia Smith and Tony Holland? Fans, however, seem convinced that the clue in naming Sonia's baby could signpost her character's exit from the show.

EastEnders legend Michelle Collins delighted fans with her epic return to the BBC soap last year.

In 1985, ITV was the dominant force in soap operas, with Coronation Street (then nearly a quarter of a century old) and Emmerdale drawing in large audiences every evening. Even the often-criticised tea time drama Crossroads managed to attract up to 15 million viewers.

Albert Square has been graced by many faces since the BBC's flagship soap EastEnders first hit our screens in 1985. However, only a handful of those actors have gone on to achieve national acclaim, let alone international success. Among the few who've managed to bag small roles in Hollywood blockbusters are some well-known personalities, such as Ben Hardy (who played Peter Beale) and Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater).

Haluk Bilginer, who played Mehmet Osman in EastEnders during the late 80s, has appeared looking strikingly different to his former character in his latest role. The actor was part of the cast of EastEnders from 1985 to 1989 and was the sibling of Ali Osman, portrayed by Nejdet Salih.

Their romance looked to be going from strength to strength, but Maisie Smith and Max George have now sparked split rumours despite only just having moved in together. EastEnders star Maisie, 22, and The Wanted singer Max, 35, went public with their romance in 2022 and have been inseparable ever since.The couple usually keep fans updated on social media with what they've been getting up to together, but the pair have both been silent on Instagram for around six weeks now.

EastEnders star Letitia Dean has played the role of Sharon Watts for over 30 years and is a known legend when it comes to the BBC soap, having been at the heart of some pretty dramatic storylines. Letitia, 55 first joined EastEnders in 1985 and has played the role of feisty Sharon on and off since, having been at the centre of a love triangle with brothers Phil and Grant Mitchell, the landlady at the Queen Vic to recently having an affair with young Keanu Taylor.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Maisie Smith and Max George are taking their relationship to a new level, just four months after exclusively confirming their relationship to HELLO!.Maisie's mum, Julia Smith, who acts as her manager, shared the exciting news on her professional Instagram account, revealing her daughter was moving out of the family home and in with Max."Moving out day," she wrote on an emotional video, which you can see below, and which shows the 21-year-old packing and then carrying her belongings into her sports car.WATCH: Maisie Smith's mum shares emotional video of daughter moving out of family home"Enjoy your new life in Manchester with Albert & Max," she added, whilst showing Maisie sitting next to her dog, who was relaxing on the passer seat."Good luck in your new home @maisiesmithofficial," she captioned the video.The big move was no surprise for the actress' family as Max announced back in February that he was ready to ask his girlfriend to move in with him. The couple have been together since last summerThe singer, 34, pulled out all the stops for the big question and showed the big proposal on his TikTok, including him hiding his house keys inside a bag of sweets and later showing Maisie pulling them out, much to her surprise."I love you," Maisie simply said to Max whilst she beamed.Maisie and Max spoke about their dream to live together in Manchester last November, in an exclusive shoot and interview with HELLO!.

EastEnders star Jane Slaughter has played barmaid Tracey on the BBC One soap for more than 35 years and is the longest-serving female cast member.Tracey is one of the most famous soap extra's on TV, and despite the character typically not having many lines, she has been part of the show's biggest storylines over the years. Speaking in a candid interview last year, actress Jane, 60, who plays the legendary Tracey, admitted that she thought she would only be on the BBC One soap for "six months".Talking to The Sun in 2020, Jane said: "I got the role as Tracey on the first day of filming when (EastEnders writer and co-creator) Julia Smith, who I worked with when I was about 15, said she’d like me to have the flower stall.

EastEnders stars Letitia Dean and Adam Woodyatt have opened up about being told off and sent home during a day of filming.