Storylines of EastEnders
Storylines of EastEnders provides a year by year summary of the most notable storylines in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders.
1980s
1985
It started with the discovery of a badly beaten Reg Cox, who subsequently died in the second episode. Meanwhile, middle-aged Pauline Fowler discovered she was pregnant. There was heartbreak for cafe owner Ali Osman and his wife Sue with the cot death of their baby, Hassan. Arthur and Pauline Fowler celebrated the birth of their son Martin in July. In September, Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts, in an attempt to make her unfaithful husband Den jealous, unsuccessfully tried to seduce barman Lofty. Sharon Watts fell for Romeo Simon Wicks, school-girl Michelle Fowler then announced to best friend Sharon that she herself was pregnant, but refused to name the father. In true whodunit style, pregnant Michelle, who had consistently refused to name the father of her child, arranged to meet him secretly by the canal. Millions of viewers watched as the pub's poodle Roly jumped from the car - followed by Den Watts himself, thus earning him his "Dirty Den" title.
1986
The troubled marriage of Den and Angie Watts worsened when his mistress Jan visited the Queen Vic, and in despair Angie took a near-fatal overdose. Michelle's daughter Vicki was born in May, and subsequently Michelle jilted Lofty at the altar. Arthur had dipped into the Christmas Club money to pay for the reception and was subsequently imprisoned for 28 days. This in term, resulted in Arthur's break down - he spent whole days doing jigsaw puzzles or locked in his shed at the allotment. Later in the year Lofty and Michelle tied the knot in a quiet register office ceremony. Throughout the year Den and Angie’s relationship became more strained. Den asked for a divorce, Angie said she was dying: "Six months to live", Den agreed to stay. They took a trip to Venice where Den had a chance meeting with Jan and Angie started drinking. While confessing to a barman that she was not really dying, Angie was overheard by Den who, in a ratings-record Christmas Day episode, demanded a divorce. Arthur Fowler smashed up the living room as his depression hit bottom.
1988
The Angie and Den saga continued with the pair operating as professional rivals. Den carried on running the Queen Vic and Angie managed The Dagmar for James Wilmott-Brown. The Walford prowler was a serious threat to the women of Walford with Sue and Sharon both having narrow escapes while Pat Wicks was battered. It was also the year of EastEnders first gay kiss between Colin and Barry, which at the time was seen as controversial. The press reacted with 'outrage' and 'fury' at this 'filth' and, for a while dubbed the show EastBenders. Single mum Mary tried to support herself and baby Annie as she veered dangerously towards a life of prostitution because of Nick Cotton. Mary's parents took baby Annie away to live with them after Mary had left the child on her own. Later in the year her relationship with Rod, the roadie, helped her to get Annie back.
1988
Pregnant by Lofty, Michelle had an abortion and when Lofty discovered the truth, he left her. Donna, Kathy Beale's illegitimate daughter, turned up. The result of a rape when Kathy was a teenager, Donna was rejected by Kathy and died of a heroin overdose the following year. Kathy took up a job at the Dagmar and Wilmott Brown tried to seduce her. He later raped her, and left her to be found by Den. Den firebombed the Dagmar and this only led to Den's own downfall. He double-crossed his mafia (known as The Firm) friends and they wanted him dead, so he went on the run. He gave himself up to the police and was remanded in prison at the same time as Nick Cotton. The big question was over the parentage of Simon Wicks. Pat couldn't give a clear answer as she didn't know whether the father of Simon was Kenny Beale or Pete Beale; she also didn't rule out Den Watts as a contender. Pat was reunited with old flame Frank Butcher and he arrived in the square with his children, Diane and Ricky, leaving his other daughters back in Manchester. Pat and Frank became the owners of the Vic, as Den was still awaiting trial and Angie had moved to Spain. Lou Beale died in her sleep, and her son Pete broke down at the funeral.
1989
Unable to cope with the events in their lives, Kathy and Pete's marriage crumbled in January. Wilmott Brown managed to convince Kathy to drop the charges, but a trial was later given and he was sent to prison for three years. But before the trial Pete Beale wanted to kill Wilmott Brown and he drunkenly stole a car and went after him. He was charged with drunk driving and given a long ban on the road. Meanwhile Den, who had taken the blame for the Dagmar fire, awaited his fate. He managed to escape from the police on the way to his trial and arranged to meet Michelle at the canal. The Firm, who were involved in the fire, decided to silence Den for good. The hit men followed Michelle to their meeting place and after she left they shot him, with a gun disguised in daffodils. He was presumed dead, but no body was found at the time. Michelle confessed that Vicky was Sharon's half sister, and this turmoil led Sharon to take up with Wicksy again. Sue had another baby but he was snatched by Ali at the grave of their first son, Hassan. Sue became deranged and was sent to a psychiatric hospital. Pat and Frank tied the knot and had a big East End do, with horse carriage and pearly kings. Frank started up the car lot, and the couple also bought the B&B and moved into the house next door. Ian bought Ali's café and became smitten with new market trader Cindy Williams. They married, but the wedding ended in tears with Ian arguing with his new wife. Best man Simon "Wicksy" Wicks knew one reason for Cindy's sorrow — she was carrying his baby.
1990s
1990
During 1990, the Butchers had to cope with the trauma of Frank's daughter, Diane, running away from home. A body was found in the canal, presumed to be that of Den, and he later received a burial. Sharon decided to search for her real parents but they rejected her. She returned to the square devastated. Nick tried to poison his mother, Dot, after learning that she had won money on the bingo. Dot guessed and managed to escape unharmed. One of the main storylines of the year was the love triangle between Wicksy, Cindy and Ian. Cindy confessed to Ian that she loved another man and that Steven was not his son. In an emotional frenzy, Ian crashed his van and ended up in hospital. He later discovered that Wicksy was Steven's real father. Scared of repercussions, Wicksy and Cindy left Walford with Steven and set up home elsewhere. New faces on Albert Square in 1990 included: the Mitchells - Phil, Grant and their sister Sam, new landlord of the Queen Vic, Eddie Royle, and the Tavernier family.
1991
In a drama that could be said is always willing to confront controversial issues head-on - Mark Fowler's secret was revealed when he confessed to his girlfriend Diane that he was HIV-positive. Ian Beale's business went from strength to strength. Michelle began a degree course at the local college and started dating Clyde Tavernier.
Grant set his sights on Sharon and so attacked Eddie Royle who also seemed to have taken a fancy to her. He tried to get back into the army, but failed the psychiatric test. Ricky Butcher eloped to Scotland with the Mitchell brothers' pretty little sister Samantha. She was just 16. Only their families found the map of Gretna Green and knew where to find them. They still got married and when back in Walford got a church blessing. In September, the brutal murder of Eddie Royle (who was stabbed to death in the middle of the Square) rocked the residents of Albert Square. Racist Nick Cotton claimed that he saw Clyde Tavernier that night standing by the body holding a knife. Clyde Tavernier was an innocent suspect, but the incident paved the way for Sharon Watts to return to the Queen Vic as landlady. Nick was not under suspicion, but he later confessed to the murder whilst Clyde went on the run with Michelle Fowler, Vicky, and his son Kofi. Grant was also a suspect with a motive, but no alibi. The Vic was shut down until Sharon managed to secure a license. Grant then proposed to Sharon and they married on Boxing Day in a surprise wedding. Frank went into partnership with Kathy and Pauline in the café and Ian started up the Meal Machine with the help of Hattie Tavernier.
1992
The year began with problems for newlyweds Sharon and Grant Mitchell. He wanted to start a family while she wanted to concentrate on running the Queen Vic. Frank started to lose money and had to sell his merc and the B&B. Pat, however, started up Pat Cabs which was run from the porta cabin. Only Pat hit a local teenager, and after finding out that she was over the drinking limit the girl died. In June, Mark Fowler married Gill, the day before she died of AIDS-related cancer, in scenes complimented for their sensitivity. Meanwhile, Arthur's friendship with Mrs. Hewitt continued to develop, and on Christmas Eve they ended up in bed together. During 1992, the sexual chemistry between Phil and his sister-in-law Sharon developed, and eventually erupted into passion. They slept together and had to deal with the aftermath. Grant, still unaware of this affair set fire to the Vic in an insurance bid, but failed, and Sharon, who nearly died in the fire, told Grant that they were finished. Phil was prepared to risk everything and tell his brother, but when it came to the crunch, Sharon chose Grant.
1993
The year began with the long-awaited trial of Nick Cotton for the murder of Eddie Royle. Although it was clear that Nick was responsible for stabbing Eddie, the jury's verdict was "Not Guilty." Six months after knocking down and killing a girl in a drink driving incident, Pat Butcher was given a prison sentence. After a fight at the Queen Vic, Grant ended up in prison too. Cindy and Ian got back together, and at the end of the year Cindy gave birth to twins. Tragically, on the day that they were born, their grandfather Pete Beale was killed in a car crash along with his girlfriend Rose Chapman. Pauline found out about Arthur's affair with Mrs. Hewitt, and in the ensuing row she hit him over the head with a frying pan and threw him out. It seemed as if the Fowlers' marriage was over. Michelle's daughter Vicky was kidnapped; only the kidnapper made the mistake of visiting a toy shop and the sales assistant had seen the appeals on TV and contacted the police. Pete Beale got involved with old school friend Rose. Rose was married, but when her husband died, the two decided to start a new life together. But a few months later the couple died in a pre-arranged car crash. Rose's husband's family was not happy with the situation and wanted vengeance. Mandy Salter appeared in Walford, as Pat's friends daughter, and was left in her care. Mandy went off the rails and whilst being in a relationship with Aidan Brosnan, led him to contemplate suicide. She managed to stop him. Sharon came back from a holiday in America to find the Queen Vic in a state. Grant hit Sharon, and Michelle told the police, and when they turned up at the Vic, Grant attacked one of them, leading to an assault charge and a short stay at her majesty's pleasure. Phil and Sharon rekindled their affair whilst Grant was behind bars, only Sharon chose Grant when he returned from prison. Phil married Nadia, an immigrant looking for a green card. Phil then decided Kathy Beale was the woman for him. One of the most famous dogs on EastEnders met his end here. Roly the Poodle, who was owned by Sharon Watts, was knocked down by a lorry. The year ended with young lovers Mandy and Aidan homeless and in despair. New arrivals to the Square this year included Sanjay and Gita Kapoor and the Jackson family.
1994
In the year that EastEnders was aired thrice weekly, one of the happiest events was Nigel and Debs' wedding, which coincided with the 1,000th episode of the show. Both events were celebrated in style with a street party in the Square. Mark met Ruth, a Scottish nanny, whilst visiting a friend at an AIDS clinic. They decided to marry and moved into Michelle's house. Nigel Bates fell in love with Debbie Tyler. The couple also married, and Debbie brought daughter Clare to live with them. Clare's father started menacing Nigel, however it was not long before Grant and Phil put that right. Sanjay Kapoor started an affair with his wife Gita's sister Meena. Sanjay was eventually forgiven, but then found out his sperm count was too low to have another baby. Pat's son David arrived in Walford. Bianca Jackson, part of the newly arrived Jackson family took a shine to him, but soon found out that he was her father. Her mother Carol had slept with him at the age of fourteen. Frank Butcher was largely in debt and he sold his share of the café to Phil. In return Phil had to torch the car lot for him in an insurance bid. A homeless boy sleeping in one of the cars was found dead and the police suspected arson. Frank left the Square heavily depressed and left no trace. Pat had to pick up the pieces. Sharon had agreed to help Michelle with a university project. This involved 'Sharongate' a story which had a taped confession of Sharon's affair, which Grant found and used to publicly humiliate his wife and brother at Phil and Kathy's engagement party. The following episode attracted the highest ratings in seven years, as Grant put Phil in hospital, and when their mother came to sort things out, it was none other than Barbara Windsor.
1995
It was a new year and love was in the air. Pat reluctantly started dating car dealer Roy Evans - eventually he moved in with her. Mark Fowler and girlfriend Ruth married. Cindy cheated on Ian with David Wicks (brother of Simon "Wicksy" Wicks, and father of her son Steven). Ricky Butcher was caught between two women - and ultimately chose Bianca over her best friend Natalie. David finally revealed himself as Bianca's father, after Bianca unwittingly tried to seduce him. Kathy and Phil finally married and announced they were expecting. Phil's mother, Peggy, was overjoyed but Ian, Kathy's son, had difficulty coming to terms with his mother having a child so late in life. Michelle began to pull her life together with a new job - later she was offered a position at an American university. Tragedy struck Nigel as his new wife Debs was killed crossing the road. Her death set in motion a heartbreaking custody battle between Nigel and her ex-husband Liam over Debs' daughter, Clare. Local public money went missing and all the signs again pointed toward Arthur Fowler. The evidence continued to mount and Arthur was sentenced to jail. Frank Butcher returned to the Square at Christmas after recovering from his nervous breakdown. He found that Pat had re-opened the car lot with David and Ricky in charge. Pat's new man Roy was also there.
1996
The Square mourned the passing of beloved character Arthur Fowler, who died after being wrongly imprisoned on corruption charges. Following his father's death, Martin began to rebel at school. During the year, Tiffany (friend of Bianca) found an unexpected shoulder to cry on in Grant Mitchell - a union that left her pregnant with his child. Residents had a new place to socialize as the Cobra Club opened for business. In arguably moving scenes, Peggy Mitchell faced her toughest challenge yet as she battled against breast cancer. Ian was shot by a professional hitman while walking in the Square, after wife Cindy had hired one for the job. Carol's life began to unravel as she and Alan broke up.
1997
New beginnings in Albert Square. Tiffany gave birth to Courtney and Grant found out that he was, in fact, the father. After a brief period of wedded bliss, the tempestuous twosome were again in trouble. Amid accusations of infidelity, punches were thrown as Grant attacked Tiffany, causing her to move in with Bianca. Martin Fowler continued to get on the wrong side of the law - he broke into Carol Jackson's house and was later arrested for burglary. Tiffany's ex-boyfriend, Tony, was attacked in a gay-bashing incident. Dot was held hostage by her son Nick's prison chum, Damion, and upon her release announced she was leaving the Square. Romance blossomed as Bianca and Ricky married and Alan and Carol were reconciled. But all was not perfect - Kathy dumped Phil after learning of his affair with Lorna, Barry Evans thought he had found the "real thing" with business woman, Vanessa Carlton, only to discover she was conning him out of most of the family money. Cindy snatched two of her children, Peter and Steven. Ian went after her, and with help from Grant and Phil, snatched the kids back. Cindy returned to Walford and was charged with kidnapping.
1998
Cindy went on trial for kidnapping. She was found guilty, but managed to avoid a prison sentence. Later in the year she fought Ian for custody of the children and won. Her plans to leave Walford with the children and her new boyfriend, Nick, went awry when she was charged with Ian's attempted murder. Found guilty and sentenced, Cindy died in prison while giving birth to her and Nick's child. The di Marco family arrived in Walford and moved into George Street. The Square welcomed baby Liam to proud parents Bianca and Ricky. Peggy and Frank Butcher got engaged, much to the annoyance of Frank's ex-wife, Pat. Terry, Tiffany's father, won a fortune betting at the bookies and soon announced his engagement to Irene, Tony's mother, but their wedding day was marred by a surprise guest - Terry's wife. Kathy left Phil and Walford and headed for a new life in South Africa with son Ben. A rocky on-again, off-again year for Grant and Tiffany. While Tiffany was learning how to be a masseuse, Grant slept with Tiffany's mother, Louise. Tiffany returned, found out about the affair, and turned to Beppe di Marco for comfort. Following Grant pushing Tiffany down the stairs, he was ordered to stay away from Tiff and was arrested for attempted murder. The year ended as Tiffany, attempting to leave Walford for good with daughter Courtney, fought with Grant in the street and was accidentally run over and killed by Frank.
1999
Walford began the new year still in shock over Tiffany's death. Kathy Mitchell came back from South Africa to learn that Ian was to marry Melanie. A grieving Grant slept with Kathy. Phil, who was hoping for reconciliation with his ex-wife, could not forgive his brother. The Mitchell brothers did a "job" to recover money needed to pay off loan sharks, but the scheme went awry. In a fast and furious car chase through London's Docklands, the Mitchell brothers' getaway car landed in the River Thames and Grant was presumed dead. Matthew was found guilty of manslaughter after being framed by nightclub owner Steve Owen for the death of a crazed ex-girlfriend, Saskia. Frank married Peggy, and they announced their intent to sell the Queen Vic and retire. Frank had his hands full with his teenage daughter Janine - catching her in bed with Peggy's nephew Jamie. She soon ran away claiming she was pregnant. Irene and Terry finally married. Carol Jackson arrived back in Walford, but her happiness with new boyfriend Dan was short-lived. A pregnant Carol discovered Dan slept with her daughter Bianca, prompting Carol to have an abortion and Bianca, with son Liam in tow, to leave Walford and a devastated Ricky. A very-much alive Grant secretly left Walford for good with daughter Courtney, while Phil, now owner of the Queen Vic and warring with Frank and Peggy, sold his share to Dan for a somewhat paltry sum. In a special millennium episode, Melanie married Ian in a double wedding with Barry and Natalie. During the New Year's Eve and wedding celebrations, Melanie discovered Ian tricked her into marriage by lying about the illness of his child, Lucy. As the new millennium dawned, she walked out on him and their marriage.
2000s
2000
This year saw Matthew get his revenge on Steve Owen for being framed for the murder of Saskia Duncan. He daubed 'DEAD MAN WALKING' around Steve's door, blocked his toilet, strewed his path with broken glass and then captured him - tying him to a chair in the e20. It wasn't happiness ever after for newly weds Peggy and Frank, as he realised that it was Pat he loved and not Peggy. Sonia Jackson and Jamie Mitchell were just good friends at the start of the year, but after the summer they fell in love. But earlier in the year Sonia had had a drunken one night stand with Martin Fowler and nine months later she was giving birth in the living room - surprised by what was happening. She gave birth to a girl with the help of Big Mo, she named the girl 'Chloe' but decided to put her up for adoption. In July, Ethel Skinner turned up unexpectedly on Pauline's doorstep. It yurned out she was dying, cancer had spread to her brain. She could not bear to deteriorate into a "thing in a chair" and pleaded with Dot Cotton (now Branning) to ease her pain, when it came, by giving her morphine tablets. Dot was torn between her strong Christian principles and her love for her friend, who shamelessly played on their long friendship, and, eventually, got her way as Dot committed euthanasia. This left Dot devastated with grief and guilt - she demanded to be punished but the police would not press charges. The Slater family was introduced in September and quickly began to dominate storylines. The Slaters are: father Charlie, his adult daughters Lynne, Kat, Little Mo and the teenaged Zoë, and Charlie's mother-in-law Mo Harris and Lynne's fiance Gary Hobbs.
2001
The main storyline of 2001 was Who Shot Phil?. There were so many people that wanted him dead at the time, including: Steve Owen, Mel Owen, Ian Beale, Lisa Fowler and Dan Sullivan. But as Phil lay wounded in the Square he saw the culprit running away, and when he got out of hospital we discovered that it was Lisa. Phil however made a truce and set up Dan instead.
However, Dan was found not guilty and upon his release took revenge by kidnapping Mel, demanding £100,000 from Phil and Steve for her return. Little Mo Slater was the victim of domestic abuse by husband Trevor, he burnt her hand with the iron, subjected her to cruel mental torment and attacked her in the bathroom and raped her.
Trevor wanted a child with her but she didn't, and when he found her birth control pills he kicked her violently in the stomach. Whilst Mo was babysitting Louise at the Fowler's household, Trevor cornered her and attempted to attack her. Mo looked for the nearest object - an iron, and ripped it from its plug and struck Trevor with it repeatedly. Little Mo, however, wasn't the only Slater sister with trouble. Zoë was planning to leave London to go and work with her Uncle Harry in Spain. But Kat was dead against the idea much to Zoë's disgust. It was then revealed that Kat was Zoë's mother and Uncle Harry was the father who had regularly been having sex with a teenage Kat. Viv, Kat's mother knew the truth, but Charlie was kept in the dark - they raised Zoë as their own. The woman Zoë had called her mum was really her nan, her sister was her mum and her uncle was her great uncle and her father! Zoë fled the Square and Kat slashed her wrists.
2002
After Little Mo hit Trevor, it later turned out he was not dead as first expected, he had in fact gotten up and left when she returned to the house with her sisters. Trevor went to the police on the account Little Mo attempted to murder him. Little Mo kept quiet about the rape and Trevor gave a good account of what had happened on that night. Little Mo took the stand and told the court about the hell she had gone through with her abusive spouse, however, the jury was unmoved and Little Mo was sent down for eight years. Kat later managed to track down Donna (Trevor's other woman) and persuaded her to testify against Trevor. Mo was released later on in the summer after Trevor was caught red handed trying to get to Donna by the police. On Halloween of this year, Trevor was back - he kidnapped Little Mo and baby Sean and daubed the Slater house in petrol - Little Mo ended up dropping the match which set the house on fire. Fireman Tom saved Little Mo from the house, and then went back for Trevor - only for the house to go up flames and both of them died. Phil, Mel, Steve, Lisa and Mark were all beginning to strain. Phil had slept with Mel - Steve's wife at the end of 2001. He also wanted custody of baby Louise who Lisa (the mother) had pretended Mark Fowler was the father. It all ended when Steve and Mel planned to leave Walford forever - Steve wanted Lisa to come, to get back at Phil who would lose his daughter. But it was all delayed when Mark couldn't go because of his HIV. Steve had baby Louise in his car as he is furiously chased by Phil Mitchell, which results in Steve crashing the car. Phil saved baby Louise, but Steve was stuck in the burning wreck of the car which blew up before Phil had time to go back. Lisa married Mark, but then decided to begin an affair with Phil again. Mel discovered she didn't own the e20, Steve had sold it to Beppe before he died, and was then arrested for drug dealing. Mel discovered she was carrying Steve's baby. Lisa confessed to her best friend Mel that she actually shot Phil - not her deceased husband Steve as Mel had thought. This resulted in Mel leaving the Square and starting again abroad. Sonia and Jamie had been an on and off relationship, Ethel had told them before she died that she could feel they were meant to be together and even gave them her wedding ring. They came together again when Jamie was beaten up by Phil, and they decided they would marry. He had pawned the ring Ethel had given them to start up a business, much to the annoyance of Sonia. Just as he got the ring back, he was run over by Martin Fowler and later died in hospital in a Christmas day episode.
2003
Dennis Rickman shoots gangster Jack Dalton after discovering he ordered the death of his father, Den Watts. Dalton admits that Den actually survived and fled abroad, but this doesn't stop Dennis killing him. 'Dirty' Den Watts returns after fourteen years of faking his death, and he sets up Phil Mitchell in a robbery.
2004
Billy Mitchell blows up Angie's Den but also rescues Vicki Fowler from the fire. On Christmas Day, Den tells Zoe Slater to fake a pregnancy with Dennis's child to stop him leaving with his adoptive daughter, Sharon. He admits that he doesn't truly love Vicki, and as a result, both of his daughters go to America.
2005
In a bid to cover up Zoë's 'pregnancy', they sleep together to make her pregnant to keep up with the pretence of their child. Dennis catches them in bed, tells Chrissie (who keeps the information to herself) and tracks down Sharon. Zoë aborts Den's child, and she, Chrissie and Sam Hunter all confront Den in The Vic. Den confesses to everything, unaware that the only person he truly loved, his adoptive daughter, Sharon, is hiding in the other side of the pub. She appears, tells him that her father died a long time ago and flees. An enraged Den attacks Chrissie for taking away the one precious thing he had. Zoë hits Den over the head with an iron doorstop to protect Chrissie. She and Sam exit the room and Den grabs Chrissie's leg. She picks up the doorstop and delivers a fatal blow (secretly watched by Sam), but allows Zoë to believe that she killed him. Sam wants The Vic back or she'll blow Chrissie's cover, and after a few months, she tells Zoë that Chrissie murdered Den. Zoë leaves for Spain, and Sam smashes up Den's grave and his body is discovered, with the intention of serving Chrissie her just deserts. This backfires, and Chrissie frames Sam, who ends up in prison. Grant returnes from Rio to help his brother and sister out of prison. Phil is released after the witness drops charges after Grant pulls some strings. Jonny Allen tapes Chrisie in his club admitting to murder, the Mitchel brothers take the tape by force and show it to the police. Chrissie is caught fleeing and Sam is released.