Episode 1128 (8th May 1995)

## Plot

Albert Square and its residents come together to commemorate VE Day. The Square's roads have been closed, market traders are getting into the spirit by selling vintage items, Peggy is selling a pint a shilling, and an old 1940s steam train is making regular trips across the viaduct's trainline. Grant is revealed to be engaged after declining an invitation to go out with Phil. He is wearing his ex-soldier uniform to a get-together with the lads from the army who fought in the Falklands. Peggy reminisces about the day he returned, and Grant confides in her that he felt adrift and alone, prompting Peggy to decide on selling the house and permanently relocating to The Vic. Arthur has taken it upon himself to ensure that everyone has a memorable day. On Turpin Road, a new war memorial is unveiled, and residents on Bridge Street are treated to an extravagant feast. A lonely Ricky buries himself into a bottle with Phil, while Bianca and Tiffany turn up to the feast in period costume. Carol follows Robbie after seeing him purchase a tin bath from Big Ron, and discovers him hosting a game of bullseye on the Playground, where she is quietly pleased with the money he has earned. Nigel is disappointed in Debbie when she arrives late for the feast, unaware that she was forced to work late at the bookies by Mr Dougan, who presented her with a bottle of bubbly. While David flirts with Cindy, the elderly residents reflect on the war, believing that it was always about the future.

## Cast

### Regular cast

* Grant - Ross Kemp
* Arthur - Bill Treacher
* Pauline - Wendy Richard
* Peggy - Barbara Windsor
* Carol - Lindsey Coulson
* Alan - Howard Antony
* Bianca - Patsy Palmer
* Tiffany - Martine McCutcheon
* Kathy - Gillian Taylforth
* Phil - Steve McFadden
* Ricky - Sid Owen
* David - Michael French
* Sanjay - Deepak Verma
* Gita - Shobu Kapoor
* Nigel - Paul Bradley
* Debbie - Nicola Duffett
* Robbie - Dean Gaffney
* Ian - Adam Woodyatt
* Cindy - Michelle Collins
* Michelle - Susan Tully
* Mark - Todd Carty
* Ruth - Caroline Paterson
* Ethel - Gretchen Franklin
* Dr. Legg - Leonard Fenton
* Blossom - Mona Hammond
* Jules - Tommy Eytle
* Clare - Gemma Bissix
* Steve - Mark Monero
* Martin Fowler - Jon Peyton-Price *(Uncredited)*
* Vicki Fowler - Samantha Leigh Martin *(Uncredited)*
* Sonia Jackson - Natalie Cassidy *(Uncredited)*
* Billie Jackson - Devon Anderson *(Uncredited)*

### Guest cast

* Stan Dougan - Jack Chissick
* Maddy - Carole Walker
* Big Ron - Ron Tarr
* Winston - Ulric Browne

## Locations

* Albert Square
* The Queen Victoria - *Public, hallway and upstairs flat*
* Bridge Street
* Bridge Street Market
* Turpin Road
* Turf Accountant - *Bookies*
* Turpin Way
* Playground
* Mitchell's Autos

## Notes

* Due to coverage of the VE Day celebrations, this episode was broadcast at a earlier time of 7.30pm.
* Through the use of CGI and sound effects, a vintage steam train from the 1940s is seen and heard several times travelling across the Bridge Street viaduct.
* Instead of the regular *EastEnders* theme tune, Jack Payne's version of *It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow* is played over the closing credits.
* *Radio Times* synopsis: The residents of Albert Square celebrate the anniversary of VE Day. Arthur demonstrates his flair for organisation to make sure it is a day for everyone to remember, and Robbie plays at being an entrepreneur. Nigel's day ends in disappointment and Ricky feels lonely, but Grant and Ethel find reasons to be optimistic.
	+ The *Radio Times* magazine dubbed this episode "EastEnders: VE Day Special."
* Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 14,640,000 viewers (chart placing unknown).

## Noteworthy dialogue

Ethel Skinner (in The Vic): "I once spent the whole night under one of these tables. Yes, during the The Blitz. Ooo, it was freezing! I drank half a bottle of Gin. Well, just to keep me warm, of course."

Dr. Legg (about his wife's death during the Blitz): "You wanna hear a funny story? The fireman think she was baking biscuits when the bomb went off. Part of the kitchen wall was left standing and there was biscuit mix on the tiles, as if it had been thrown up out of a bowl."