As EastEnders marks its 40th anniversary with a special live episode, veteran scriptwriter Rob Gittins has revealed the surprising Welsh connection behind the iconic BBC soap.
Gittins, who has penned over 350 episodes since 1985, disclosed that the show was initially conceptualized in a private meeting room at BBC Wales’ former Broadcasting House in Llandaff, Cardiff.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales ahead of the milestone episode, Gittins shared that creators Tony Holland and Julia Smith worked behind closed doors to develop what would become one of Britain’s most beloved television dramas.
At the time, he was writing for The District Nurse, a Welsh TV series, when he met Holland and Smith.
Gittins also suggested that EastEnders’ signature setting, Albert Square, may have been inspired by the Welsh seaside town of Aberaeron in Ceredigion.
He credited the late Welsh writer Gwenlyn Parry for suggesting to Julia Smith that a square would be the perfect location for a drama, as “on a square you can see everyone, and everyone can see you.”
The show launched at a turbulent time for the BBC, with declining audiences and political pressure from then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
However, EastEnders quickly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing up to 30 million viewers at its peak.
Gittins attributes its success to the ability to follow characters’ lives in real time over decades, something unique to soap operas.
Reflecting on the challenge of writing for a live episode, Gittins admitted he was “terrified” ahead of the anniversary special but knew it would be a thrilling experience for fans.
He recalled his previous work on EastEnders’ 30th-anniversary live episode, where Bobby Beale was revealed as Lucy Beale’s killer—a twist kept secret from even the cast until the last moment.
This year’s live installment featured a groundbreaking interactive twist, allowing viewers to determine the fate of Denise Fox’s love story.
As Gittins continues writing episodes set to air in July, he confessed the unpredictability of the live storyline had made it a challenge.
Despite the nerves, Gittins remains proud of EastEnders’ legacy, praising the actors and directors who bring the stories to life.
As the show celebrates 40 years of drama, its Welsh origins and enduring appeal prove that Albert Square’s stories are far from over.
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