Fans of the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders faced a brief disruption to their usual viewing routine on Monday, June 9, 2025, as the show was pulled from its traditional 7:30 PM slot on BBC One. This unexpected change was due to live coverage of a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 group qualifier match between Wales and Belgium, broadcast as part of the popular Match of the Day program.
The football match took place at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 PM, and the broadcast began at 7:30 PM on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The game was set to last approximately until 10 PM, after which BBC News at Ten aired as usual. The match was a significant challenge for Wales, who had previously faced Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, and Liechtenstein in the qualifiers. As noted by Radio Times, "this represents by far Wales' toughest task on paper," given Belgium's reputation, despite their so-called "golden generation" nearing the end of their careers without having secured an international trophy.
In response to the scheduling change, the official EastEnders X (formerly Twitter) account confirmed the soap would not air on Monday but assured fans that the show would return to its regular schedule starting Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Episodes were set to resume airing nightly from Tuesday through Friday, each at the usual 7:30 PM slot. To accommodate viewers eager to catch up, the BBC continued its practice of uploading episodes early on iPlayer, with all episodes available from 6 AM on their respective days.
For the week commencing June 9, the revised EastEnders schedule was as follows: Tuesday, June 10; Wednesday, June 11; Thursday, June 12; and Friday, June 13, all from 7:30 PM to 8 PM on BBC One. This ensured that despite the one-day delay, the soap's storytelling momentum was maintained with four episodes still planned for the week.
This minor interruption came just after a dramatic week in Albert Square, where Kat Slater and Alfie Moon celebrated their third wedding, adding to the soap's ongoing intrigue. The disruption was the only one expected for the week, though fans were cautioned that further scheduling alterations might occur as the World Cup tournament progressed.
Alongside the scheduling news, viewers were also treated to fresh plot developments. A new storyline involving the Knights family was set to unfold, centered on Elaine and George, and their son Junior. Elaine, portrayed by Harriet Thorpe, becomes furious upon discovering her husband George (Colin Salmon) had assisted his ex-wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) in relaunching her bar, The Prince Albert. The tension escalates when Junior reveals that George spent Christmas evening with his mother, Sabrina. George admits Elaine tried to kiss him but that he rejected her advances. This revelation leads to Elaine throwing George out, only to find him seeking solace with Cindy.
Meanwhile, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) grappled with unsettling discoveries of adult content on Alfie Moon's (Shane Richie) laptop, confiding in Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) about her fears that Alfie might have turned to pornography following his cancer treatment. Their relationship experiences further strain when Alfie attempts to slow down their romantic advances, prompting Kat to storm out in frustration.
Other characters faced their own dramas: Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) learned that Joel Marshall (Max Murray) was shaming Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) for their intimate encounter, and Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) felt upset when her partner Patrick (Rudolph Walker) made excuses to avoid giving her a massage. These intertwined storylines ensured that despite the brief broadcast hiatus, the soap’s narrative remained rich and compelling.
Importantly, the BBC's decision to maintain early episode releases on iPlayer meant that dedicated fans could watch the Monday episode on June 9 without waiting for the TV broadcast the following day, preserving the continuity of the viewing experience.
Looking ahead, the soap’s schedule continues to adapt in response to the ongoing World Cup coverage, with viewers encouraged to stay tuned for further updates. Additionally, the show recently announced the departure of Bobby Brazier, who plays Freddie Slater, marking a significant change in the Albert Square cast. A spokesperson for EastEnders confirmed, "We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future." Meanwhile, rumors swirl about the potential returns of beloved characters such as Max Branning, Ben Mitchell, and Zoe Slater, promising more excitement for fans.
In summary, while EastEnders experienced a rare prime-time absence on Monday, June 9, 2025, due to the high-profile Wales versus Belgium World Cup qualifier, the soap swiftly resumed its usual schedule the following day. The BBC’s strategy of early iPlayer releases ensured that fans were not left in the dark, and the soap’s gripping new storylines continued to engage audiences. As the World Cup unfolds, viewers can expect further scheduling shifts, but the heart of Albert Square’s drama remains as vibrant as ever.
