EastEnders included a surprise reference to the 2024 General Election as Britain headed to the polls on Thursday.
The soap, which is no stranger to filming special additions to reference big news moments, featured the scene in the second episode of a double bill, that was released on BBC iPlayer as polls opened at 7am.
In the scene, Ian Beale told Harvey Monroe that he was heading to the polling station to cast his vote, but the latter confessed he had no idea the election was taking place.
Harvey admitted that he was so busy he’d forgotten about the election, adding: ‘And anyways, it’s only one vote. What difference does it make?’
Ian began: ‘You know what, if everyone thought like that…’ before Harvey eventually agreed to head to the polling station, but added that it was unlikely that he and Ian were ‘voting for the same people.’
EastEnders included a surprise reference to the 2024 General Election as Britain headed to the polls on Thursday
In the scene, Ian Beale told Harvey Monroe that he was heading to the polling station to cast his vote, but the latter confessed he had no idea the election was taking place
This is far from the first time that EastEnders has referenced major moments in the news with specially-filmed scenes, with some prior moments paying particular reference to The Royal Family.
In 2022, the soap paid tribute to the late Queen, but opening an episode with a scene where the monarche’s death was described as ‘devastating’ and like the entire country ‘losing its nan’.
In the scene, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), adjusted a photo of The Queen on the bar of the Queen Vic, before Denise Fox said: ‘God bless her, she’s been there our whole lives. It’s like she’s everything we’ve ever known.’
Kathy Beale, played by Gillian Taylforth, replied: ‘Just feels so personal though, doesn’t it? Just devastating.’
‘It’s like we’ve lost our nan,’ Diane said
‘Well, we have. I mean the country’s lost… we’ve all lost our nan. She dedicated her entire life to serving us,’ Linda replied.
In 2018, EastEnders included a special scene celebrating the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie.
The scene – shot in the Minute Mart hours earlier and edited in for Thursday’s broadcast – saw the character of Honey reading the news of the royal baby on her phone.
Ian began: ‘You know what, if everyone thought like that…’ before Harvey eventually agreed to head to the polling station’
This is far from the first time that EastEnders has referenced major moments in the news, with a special scene paying tribute to The Queen following her death in 2022
‘That is such great news about the baby,’ she remarked, just as Louise Mitchell entered the shop.
Looking shocked, Louise stared at Honey, who then continued: ‘The name is perfect, so natural and formal. Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
She went on: ‘This is a royal baby. He’s… something in line to the throne. Archie could soon one day be our King. Isn’t he gorgeous. I can’t help it, I just love babies.’
While they were at it, producers inserted a reference to Brexit and the current Liverpool and Tottenham fight for the Champions League Cup.
‘All people are talking about is Liverpool and Tottenham battling it out to be the League of Champions!’ she said.
The long-running BBC soap has often edited in extra last-minute scenes to mark significant events over the years, including the birth of Prince George, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding and the death of the Queen Mother, as well as last year’s World Cup semi-final.
Millions of people are set to cast their vote between 7am and 10pm, when polls close.
Opinion polls so far suggest that Labour is on course to secure a big majority in the House of Commons.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the day represents a ‘pivotal moment’ for the country’s future as he claimed Labour would ‘wield their unchecked power’ to increase taxes should they secure a ‘supermajority’.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK ‘cannot afford’ five more years under the Conservatives, adding Britain can ‘begin a new chapter’ under his party.
