BBC EastEnders to delay iPlayer release in ‘history making’ format change
EastEnders will be delaying their typical early morning iPlayer release on Monday as the hit BBC One soap will be editing the episode in an incredible format change
EastEnders will be delaying their typical early morning iPlayer release on Monday.
Taking to social media on Sunday night, the hit BBC One soap announced that real-life footage from Sunday’s London Marathon will be edited into Monday’s episode as part of Jay Brown and Honey Mitchell’s storyline. Jay star Jamie Borthwick and Honey star Emma Barton ran the London Marathon in character as part of the soap’s heartbreaking brain tumour storyline.
And Monday’s early iPlayer release will be delayed as EastEnders edits the episode to include real-life footage from Sunday’s London Marathon. In an Instagram post, EastEnders penned: “Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick have just completed the London Marathon for an upcoming storyline that will see their characters, Honey and Jay, take on the event in memory of their beloved Lola.
“As well as running on behalf of their chosen charities, Emma and Jamie run parts in character to film various scenes along the route. These scenes will be edited into the main show this evening and viewers will be able to watch the special scenes tomorrow (Monday 22nd April) from 1300 on BBC iPlayer and at 1930 on BBC One. @londonmarathon #LondonMarathon.”
Jamie Borthwick and Emma Barton took part in the London Marathon as part of the BBC soap (
Getty Images)
Danielle Harold, who played Lola Pearce in EastEnders, poses alongside Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown (
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Soap fans will recall that last year, Lola Pearce-Brown, played by Danielle Harold, tragically passed away following her diagnosis with a glioblastoma multiforme. As part of a current EastEnders storyline, Jay and Honey have been preparing for the London Marathon in honour of Lola.
Jamie said of the storyline: “Over the last 18 months, we have seen a storyline where my [Jay’s] wife Lola, had developed a brain tumour. We just really tried to make it as real as we could and our lovely boss dropped the idea to us that maybe our characters would run the marathon.”
Emma added: “I think it’s a really clever idea that EastEnders have done to show what a lot of the people all over the country are doing. And that’s raising money for their charities or in memory of a loved one. As Honey and Jay are going to be running the London Marathon, we are going to be filmed live on the London Marathon day, which will then go into Monday April 22’s show at 7.30pm. This has never been done before in soap history.”
Presenter JJ Chalmers spoke to the duo at the 12-mile point to which Jamie said: “It’s fantastic. So far, we are struggling a bit. But are we getting through, the crowds are great”, adding: “Everyone’s been great. It’s such a great day, and everyone’s screaming and shouting and it’s brilliant.”
Asked if they were ready for their EastEnders scene, Emma said: “We just have to treat it like any other scene of EastEnders, professionally, we’re gonna get it done and then we can relax for the last half.” Soap fans were quick to react to EastEnders’ post on Sunday night as one person said: “Well done Jamie and Emma. Lola’s storyline was one of the best soap storylines in years from beginning to end deserved the awards it got Lola would definitely be proud of Jay and Honey.”
Elsewhere, a different account put: “Congratulations! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s episode”, another wrote: “Amazing!!! I’m in awe” while another soap watcher added: “Congratulations, Emma and Jamie.”
