[The Queen Vic]

Hi everybody,

From approximately 6pm I will be revealing what you have chosen as your favourite year of EastEnders, so please enjoy when I reveal it in a countdown of the top ten. At the end, I will also reveal the percentage.

I am currently trying to create a montage of the year's of EastEnders, so bare with me! I'm not a brilliant genius when it comes to that kind of thing

I can reveal that the year that's won it stormed right ahead at the end, and in my opinion there's a shocking entry in the top five. There were no draws thankfully, so it made my job very easy! 150 votes were cast, so thank you very much

See you later!!

[maurice45]

Cheers, Queen Vic. Your hard work is commendable; looking forward to the results

[The Queen Vic]

Originally Posted by maurice45

Cheers, Queen Vic. Your hard work is commendable; looking forward to the results

Thank you Videos are being a pain but hopefully will get them!

[PrincessPerfect]

Ooh - I'm quite excited for this!

[Benllech]

2002 for me!

[SuperDude95]

Can't wait for the results.

[EEFanatic]

I'm looking forward to the results and the Year Highlights.

[The Queen Vic]

Hello and welcome to EastEnders' Best Year: The Results.

Over 150 of you voted, and you've whittled it down to a final ten, and now it starts...

The videos I promised are attached, but from You Tube as I didn't have time to make specifics! Apologies!

[The Queen Vic]

Kicking off the countdown was a year of dramatic departures, the return of a classic couple, the beginning of one of the show’s most controversial ever plotlines, and that ever so exciting live episode.

“You haven’t got the nerve! Nah, you haven’t got the nerve!”
“I killed Archie, it was me.”
“It’s Billie, he’s dead”
“He’s gay, Zainab! Syed is gay!”

At number ten, it’s 2010.

2010’s Biggest Moment: EastEnders goes Live

What’s the best way to celebrate 25 years of one of the nation’s most cherished television shows? Scare the living bejesus out of the people that make it of course, by going Live!

It was daring, it was ground-breaking, it was dramatic and of course, it answered that question the audience had been waiting nearly two months to find out – who killed Archie Mitchell on Christmas Day? Was it his long-suffering daughter Ronnie? No, although nobody would have blamed her! Was it his experienced murderess of a fiancée Janine? Not this time. No, the big shock came just moments after everybody’s favourite ginger Bradley Branning plummeted to his death, when Stacey – the girl Archie had raped just a couple of months before his death – confessed all in a moment of grief and desperation. The question was answered, but the story was far from over for Stacey.

Book Ends

1st January 2010 – Syed married Amira in a lavish ceremony, but not before his mother Zainab discovers the truth – he’s gay. In a dramatic showdown with Christian, Zee was rocked by the revelation and confronted her son. He went ahead with the wedding anyway, and the stage was set for a dramatic ending to the storyline in April of the same year…

31st December 2010 – Ronnie and Kat had both given birth to baby boys and it was set to be a happy new year for the residents of Walford. That was until Kat was rushed to hospital, and Ronnie woke to discover that her cherished baby James had died. Devastated and grief-stricken, Ronnie wandered into the Square – baby in arms – and attempted to find help. In a moment of madness, she made her way into the Vic and swapped her baby for Kat’s healthy son Tommy. And there, in the final few moments of 2010, EastEnders’ biggest controversy to date was born…

What else was 2010 good for?

The Queen Vic burned leading to Peggy Mitchell’s departure, Stacey Branning ran from the law as her awful killer secret was revealed by evil stab-yourself-to-frame-your-enemy Janine Butcher, Vanessa Gold arrive in Walford and gave a whole new meaning to the colour white, Billie’s untimely death rocked Carol and the Jackson family, Jack was shot by the deranged Kylie, Lisa Fowler made a whistle-stop return for her daughter, and Kat and Alfie – once one of the show’s most loved couples – returned to Walford.

[PrincessPerfect]

Great opener, Queen Vic (shocked by the 2010 entry, though!)!

[Rose-Addict]

2009 was definitely my favourite year but the first half of 2010 was definitely the peak of my excitement for the show with the live episode.

Highlights:

- Live episode

- Ronnie's rape reveal

- Peggy's exit

- Ronnie / Jack's wedding

[The Queen Vic]

“Cor, stinks in ‘ere dunnit?”

And there it was… those words, uttered by Ali Osman as the door to Reg Cox’s door was kicked in, was the birth of EastEnders. And at number nine, it’s the show’s very first year on air – 1985.

1985’s Biggest Moment: The very first episode

Well, of course it was! That’s where it all began, as Den, Arthur and Ali broke in to discover poor old Reg had popped his clogs. Although he had a helping hand, and a murder investigation was soon launched. But who did it? EastEnders was born, and it was already keeping the nation guessing…

It was also the first time we met some of the show’s most famous characters. Sharon and that dodgy perm, Dirty Den and his long-suffering alcoholic of a wife Ange, a much thinner and more polite Ian Beale, and everybody’s favourite battle-axe Lou Beale. Pregnancy loomed over Walford, as Pauline Fowler – she was getting on a bit, granted – discovered she was up the duff with another child. Don’t tell Lou though! It was also the moment we saw Dirty Den throw himself over a bar and chuck Nick Cotton out of his pub – “Look at my bleedin’ shirt!” he remarked, as he noticed the blood stains on his white clothes. And then, as the first duff duffs rolled, the face of television changed forever…

Book Ends

19th February 1985 – Well, enough was said above. A murder, a pregnancy, a fight in a pub… just a normal day in Walford eh?

31st December 1985 – Worried about their eldest son Mark – not matey from Byker Grove, the first Mark – Pauline and Arthur travelled to Southend to track down their wayward son.

Why else was 1985 memorable?

In a storyline which was to break the nation’s hearts, Sue and Ali Osman discovered that their baby Hassan had died of cot death. Den and Angie’s marriage deteriorated as the whole country watched them fight, Michelle fell pregnant to a mystery man which was later to be revealed as Den Watts – remember that moment that we saw Roly get out of the car? Julia’s Theme was first used when Ian broke down in his grandmother Lou’s arms.

[EEFanatic]

I love the Re-caps of the Year's so far. Thank-You, Queen Vic.

Although, the first lines were uttered by Den Watts not Ali Osman.

[The Queen Vic]

What do you need in a good EastEnders year? A murder, of course. Perhaps a couple of weddings, the exit of a legendary character, and a middle-aged woman having an affair with a guy half her age. Okay, so maybe most years include all of this…

“I’ve been sleeping with Dan…”
“Well guess what Ian, I don’t love you. And I never have done!”
“Has she said something to you? Rosa, is there something I should know?”

At number eight in the countdown, it’s 1999.

1999’s Biggest Moment: Grant Mitchell bows out

In an episode that was pitted against the finale of One Foot in the Grave – also about a miserable, balding bloke… freaky! – Grant and Phil Mitchell came to blows for a final time as the truth behind Grant sleeping with Phil’s love Kathy came out. The brother’s had it out, a gun was pointed, a punch was thrown, but when the cops came calling, the Mitchell boys ran. As the police gave chase, Phil shot at the dashboard and Grant lost control of the wheel, plunging into the river Thames. Phil was pulled out, but where was Grant? Turns out, he got to shore and fled to Brazil. Alright for some.

Book Ends

1st January 1999 – The residents of Walford were left reeling by the death of everybody’s favourite barmaid Tiffany Mitchell, after being knocked over by Frank Butcher on an icy New Year’s Eve. Was Grant to blame, or was Frank? A court case loomed.

31st December 1999 – in the final episode of the year, the decade, the century and millennium, EastEnders’ legend Ian Beale got wed to Melanie Healy. The wedding was a joint one with Barry and Natalie, but on the night of the wedding – no, not that you dirty lot! – Melanie discovered the awful truth that Ian had been lying about daughter Lucy’s illness. So what does she do? Right on cue, as the clock strikes midnight, she walks out on her new husband and there, in a classic episode, was ‘Enders shortest ever marriage.

What else was 1999 good for?

A classic storyline in which nightclub owner Steve Owen murdered stalker Saskia Duncan in a desperate bid to save his own life, but it was shy Matthew Rose that took the brunt of the law. The body was hidden, but when it was discovered, Matthew went down for murder. Christmas was an eventful one for Walford when Terry discovered that his wife Irene was having it off with sexy lodger Troy, the Di Marco’s hosted dinner with the Mitchells and Phil sold the Vic to Dan Sullivan for a fiver! Also in 1999, Bianca's affair with Dan Sullivan (yes, him again) was revealed to a devestated Carol and Ricky. It changed the face of mother and daughter relationship, until 2010 - number 10 in our countdown - brought them back together.

[Josh K]

When will we see the rest of the results?

[soapdoctor]

IMO, 2010 was one of the best years

[lloydsimco]

Originally Posted by soapdoctor

IMO, 2010 was one of the best years

How has 2010 even been nominated??
2010/2011/2012 have been appalling!

[xlittlexminx]

whats the point in getting started if your not gonna finish?

[The Queen Vic]

A dramatic house fire, a Christmas wedding, an emotional ending for a Walford cutie, and the second return of Walford’s princess.

“We fight to live another day, eh?”
“Phil! Help me! Phil”
“Christmas is cancelled!”
“You’re dead already Frank, remember? I came to your
funeral!”

It can only be 2002.

2002’s Most Memorable Moment: The end of Trevor Morgan

A storyline which had spanned over the course of two years and kept the nation hooked, evil Trevor Morgan’s plan to get back his wife backfired, literally, as he went up in flames.

It was Halloween, and the Square had gathered at Angie’s Den – not E20, not R&R, not Scarlet… keep up! – for a party. Everybody was in fancy dress, and a dark figure loomed. It was Trevor, and he was back for Mo. Taking her back to the house, a fight took place and Little Mo lit a match to try and call Trev’s bluff. Stupid mistake, Mo – as the match fell out of her hand and the house went up in flames. Little Mo got out, but fireman Tom went back in to save the villain and ended up dying as well. Cue Sharon’s signature wail when somebody she loves dies…

Book Ends

1st January 2002 – Trevor and Little Mo dominated, but earlier on in the year it was because she battered him with an iron. Scared and confused, she called on the help of her family. They returned to the Fowler’s house – where Mo was babysitting Louise – and he was gone! Shock horror! Talking of Louise, the truth came spilling out in the Vic when it was revealed Phil was the father. And a row between Peggy and Pauline ensued!

31st December 2002 – Little Mo and Billy had married and Jamie Mitchell had tragically died, but New Year 2002 was fairly quiet in comparison to others. Kat was shacked by with Dr Trueman, and Barry slipped over and hurt his back. Sounds about right.

What else is 2002 memorable for?

Steve Owen went up in flames following a dramatic high speed car chase through London with Phil Mitchell – it was too late for Steve, but thank god little Louise got out alive. Later, Steve’s wife Mel left for pastures new, pregnant with her dead hubby’s baby. Sam Mitchell returned with a new face, as Kim Medcalf took over the role in episodes set in Spain, where Frank and Peggy were also reunited. Little Mo went down for hitting Trevor with an iron, but was later released. Alfie Moon arrived in Walford and charmed his way into the duchesses good books.

[The Queen Vic]

“This, my sweet, is a letter from my solicitor telling you that your husband has filed a petition for divorce. It also tells you to get yourself a solicitor pretty damn quick. Happy Christmas, Ange”

Cut to 30 million people with their hands over their mouths, as Den Watts presented his wife Angie with divorce papers on Christmas Day. Nothing’s beaten it since – fat bald blokes getting shot by bitter ex-girlfriends, families being ripped apart by the reveals of affairs, old blokes being crushed by falling ornaments of ex monarchy figures… no, it’s the exchange of a sheet of paper which attracted over half the country to tune in. Blimey, someone made an impression…

Yes, at number 6 – if you hadn’t already guessed it – is 1986.

1986’s Most Memorable Moment: Angie tells a deadly lie…

Let’s face it – one of the most memorable moments in soap history, let alone in 1986, is when Den presented Angie with the divorce papers. But I’ve covered that. So here’s second best from that year. Angie, early morning, dressed in that horrible blue dressing gown. Messy hair, breakfast not even on the table, and she tells a lie that will come back to bite her in the bum later. “I’ve got six months to live”, she wails through an hysterical laugh. And Den Watts fell for it… what a fool!

Other memorable moments from 1986

It was this year that we first met a Walford legend… bold, brassy and not afraid to speak her mind, a character we would grow to love and eventually shed a tear over twenty six years later on her death bed… Pat! She caused a right ruckus between ex-husband Pete and son Simon, who wanted her gone, but was she bothered? Was she heck! Also, Lofty was jilted by Michelle, Angie’s marriage to Den deteriorated (have I mentioned that yet?), and probably the most dramatic storyline in the history of the show… The Banned was formed by Sharon, Ian and Michelle. Note the sarcasm.

[The Queen Vic]

Thanks for your patience guys. Problems with my internet but the results will be posted within the next couple of days. Hope you're enjoying it so far. Again, my apologies. Been sent by my mobile!

[big dan]

Thanks for all the effort you're putting into this OP! My guesses for top 5 in no particular order:

2001 (likely number 1?)
2005
2007
1994
1998

[dan2008]

Brilliant Stuff. Thanks The Queen Vic for all your hard work

[The Queen Vic]

Thank you both

The top five has an entry, as I've said before, that I am very shocked about. But I hope you enjoy the rest

[Doctor Bench]

Great stuff, OP! Such years as 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 1994, etc, which generally have a better rapport across the boards and are clasified to be the show's better years (which they were) should fare well.

Let's just hope something ridiculous like 2006 or 2009 don't appear on the list.