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Mick and Linda Carter take the helm at the Vic, unaware that life is about to throw them a few curveballs. As Lauren's world comes crashing down, Joey makes an interesting offer.

Phil contemplates the Vic, wistful. In the Square gardens, a hung-over Shirley jeers that Peggy will kill Phil when she learns he鈥檚 sold the Vic, then throws up in a bin. Shirley and Tina are excited when Shirley gets a phone call. Alfie鈥檚 optimistic that with Janine in prison he and Kat can stay in the Vic but Phil gives them until 12pm to move out, despite Alfie confiding that Kat鈥檚 pregnant.

The Square鈥檚 residents form a human chain to help move Kat and Alfie鈥檚 belongings into No. 23 on the promise of a final happy hour. Shirley and Tina decline to help. Max and Patrick speculate over who鈥檚 bought the Vic. Billy reports that Janine has been charged with murder and worries when Shirley teases that that the Vic is to be a gay bar. Sharon swears to never spend Christmas in a B&B again. Phil explains a family have bought the Vic and enjoys spending time with Sharon and Dennis playing computer games.

As happy hour begins in the Vic, the punters get increasingly drunk and rowdy. Midday fast approaching, Kat and Alfie share a kiss 鈥� the end of an era 鈥� before helping themselves to the till鈥檚 contents. A fuming Phil arrives with Sharon, having been tipped off by Roxy. Meanwhile, a car pulls up on the Square. A family gets out, flanked by a British bulldog, just as Billy鈥檚 sent flying through the Vic doors. The family enter the pub to see Phil herding drunken punters out. Phil鈥檚 manhandling a protesting Shirley when the new owner steps in and defends her. Phil鈥檚 astounded that they know each other. Grinning broadly, Shirley introduces the new owner of the Vic 鈥� her brother, Mick Carter.

Lauren smashes a glass bowl while helping Kat and Alfie move. Jake rushes to help her. Max鈥檚 suspicions are roused when Joey warns Max to keep an eye on Jake. Later, Max spots Lauren sneaking off down Turpin Way and follows her to Scarlett鈥檚. He鈥檚 stunned to walk in on Jake and Lauren kissing. Jake tries to take the blame but Lauren insists on talking to Max alone, pleading that she and Jake have helped each other and Sadie doesn鈥檛 understand Jake. Max is unconvinced and heads for Jake and Sadie鈥檚 house, determined to stop the affair. Terrified, Lauren pursues Max. When Sadie answers the door, Max can鈥檛 bring himself to reveal the truth and instead threatens if Jake goes near Lauren again he鈥檒l make sure Jake loses everything.

An upbeat Joey assumes that Alice will soon be released from prison. He鈥檚 devastated when Mark Sager reports that as Alice has pled guilty she鈥檒l still be tried for Michael鈥檚 murder. David makes a business call to Roxy and is grateful when Carol administers pain killers for his bandaged arm. Carol insists she鈥檚 going over to Masood鈥檚 as soon as Diane collects Scarlett. Joey angrily vents at David for keeping Janine鈥檚 confession to himself. Carol鈥檚 disgusted with herself for trusting David again, and make it clear they鈥檙e not together. Joey tells Lauren he鈥檚 moving back home. Lauren鈥檚 surprised to realise Joey knows of her affair with Jake. Joey asks Lauren to come with him - he鈥檚 always loved her. Later, Lauren meets Joey at the tube station, but just to say goodbye - they鈥檇 be together if it was right. Fondly tucking Lauren鈥檚 hair behind her ear, Joey bids Lauren goodbye and leaves Walford.

Mo offers Peter a rub down. Lola insists Peter鈥檚 spoken for. While helping Kat and Alfie move, Ian orders Peter home for a dustpan and brush, then follows and tells him to stop seeing Lola. Outraged, Peter refuses. Later, Ian pleads that Phil will make their lives hell if Peter and Lola stay together. Peter notices Ian鈥檚 hands shaking. Left with no choice, Peter breaks up with Lola.

Carol comforts a heartbroken Bianca as she cries about Terry. Terry repeatedly tries to speak to Bianca, revealing Nikki鈥檚 gone back to her flat. Bianca coldly tells Terry to join her.

5 months left to watch

30 minutes

Audio described

Clip

Music Played

  • Music Played

    • The Killers

      Shot At The Night

    • Arlissa

      Into The Light

    • Ella Fitzgerald

      Sleigh Ride

    • Paul McCartney

      Wonderful Christmastime

    • The Waitresses

      Christmas Wrapping

    • Little Mix

      Move

    • Oasis

      Don't Look Back In Anger

    • Kylie Minogue

      Flower

    • The Feeling

      Feels Like Christmas

Credits

Role Contributor
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Shirley Carter Linda Henry
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Johnny Carter Sam Strike
Lauren Branning Jacqueline Jossa
Max Branning Jake Wood
Joey Branning David Witts
Roxy Mitchell Rita Simons
Sharon Rickman Letitia Dean
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Jake Stone Jamie Lomas
Sadie Young Kate Magowan
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Peter Beale Ben Hardy
Lola Pearce Danielle Harold
Billy Mitchell Perry Fenwick
Bianca Butcher Patsy Palmer
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
David Wicks Michael French
Terry Spraggan Terry Alderton
Liam Butcher James Forde
Alfie Moon Shane Richie
Kat Moon Jessie Wallace
Mo Harris Laila Morse
Patrick Trueman Rudolph Walker
Cindy Williams Mimi Keene
Tiffany Butcher Maisie Smith
Morgan Butcher Devon Higgs
Dennis Rickman Harry Hickles
Mark Sager Matthew Douglas
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Director Karl Neilson
Writer Jeff Povey

Broadcasts

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