‘EastEnders’ and ‘Victoria’ will go head-to-head on Christmas Day (25.12.17).
The BBC One soap and the ITV period drama both have plenty of gripping storylines to keep TV lovers occupied from 9pm.
The Carter family are currently fighting to keep Albert Square’s Queen Vic pub in their ownership after Max Branning [Jake Wood] attempted to take over the establishment with his revenge plot against Walford involving Weyland & Co chairman Hugo Browning [Simon Williams].
Mick Carter [Danny Dyer] is offered the chance to save his family home and income from ruin, but it could also destroy them.
Meanwhile, the real life Queen Victoria played by Jenna Coleman is pregnant with her fourth child with Prince Albert [Tom Hughes], but trouble in paradise arises when the monarch gets the hump with her spouse for inviting people to the palace.
Shaheen Jafargholi recently teased that the ‘EastEnders’ festive storyline is going to be "massive and explosive."
The 20-year-old actor – who is known for playing Shakil Kazemi in the long-running soap – has been shooting the episodes for the Christmas season and has hinted that the plot bosses have lined up is "really exciting" because it will affect every character.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said recently: "It’s going to be massive. Christmas is being worked on currently and it’s involving so many characters. It’s going to be explosive, it’s going to be great and I’m excited for everyone to see it and I can’t tell you anymore. Every character is involved. We have been told not to say anything. It’s going to be amazing. I’m not sure if it’s going to drag out but the main idea is going to be great."
However, although he’s looking forward to the big storyline, the hunk is sad to see Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald – who play Lauren and Abi Branning – leave the show because they’re good friends.
He explained: "Obviously it’s the nature of the show – soap characters come and go and that’s how it works. It’s sad to see your friends leave but I have no doubt they’re going to go on to better things. Regardless of whatever they go on to do, they’re both sick actresses."