User:AnemoneProjectors/List of EastEnders episodes (2016)

EastEnders is a British soap opera, examining the domestic and professional lives of working class people who live in the fictitious London Borough of Walford in the East End of London. The show airs on BBC One and entered its 31st broadcasted year on 1 January 2016 with its 5,202nd episode, with Dominic Treadwell-Collins continuing his role as executive producer. Treadwell-Collins' departure from EastEnders after two-and-a-half years was announced on 18 February 2016, with Sean O'Connor taking over the role in May and being credited from July. In the typical week, EastEnders airs four half-hour episodes in a time slot of 8.00pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There were 210 episodes in 2016.

Storylines in 2016 included Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) suffering from postpartum psychosis, Lucas Johnson's (Don Gilet) prison escape attempt, Abi Branning's (Lorna Fitzgerald) fake pregnancy, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Mick Carter's (Danny Dyer) baby son Ollie Carter suffering a head injury, Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) being stalked by Andy Flynn (Jack Derges), Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) discovering his girlfriend Linzi Bragg (Amy-Leigh Hickman) is underage and becoming a registered sex offender, Babe Smith (Annette Badland) blackmailing Les Coker (Roger Sloman) over his crossdressing, Peggy Mitchell's (Barbara Windsor) return and suicide, the death of Paul Coker (Jonny Labey) following a homophobic attack, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) alcohol relapse and later cirrhosis, and Lee Carter's (Danny-Boy Hatchard) depression and attempted suicide.

Two new regular cast members playing new characters were introduced in 2016: Derges (Andy Flynn), who left in the same year at the end of his storyline, and Shaheen Jafargholi (Shakil Kazemi). Guest actors portraying new characters included Leon Lopez (Linford Short), Amy-Leigh Hickman (Linzi Bragg), Denise Welch (Alison Slater), Gary Webster (Neville Peacock) and Ned Porteous (Mark Fowler). Aaron Sidwell (Steven Beale) was the only cast member to return on a regular basis in 2016, while there were guest stints for former regular cast members Glynis Barber (Glenda Mitchell), Gilet (Lucas Johnson), Derek Martin (Charlie Slater), Windsor (Peggy Mitchell), Neil McDermott (Ryan Malloy), Janet Dibley (Lorna Cartwright), Ross Kemp (Grant Mitchell), Pam St. Clement (Pat Butcher), Danniella Westbrook (Sam Mitchell), John Partridge (Christian Clarke), Lynda Baron (Linda Clarke), Michael Cashmore (Colin Russell), Ian Lavender (Derek Harkinson), Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison, voice only) and Danny Mitchell (Liam Bergin), and former recurring cast members Maisie Smith (Tiffany Butcher) and Devon Higgs (Morgan Butcher). Characters that returned in 2016 with new actors were Belinda Peacock (Carli Norris), Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), Jordan Johnson (Joivan Wade), Johnny Carter (Ted Reilly), Courtney Mitchell (Alice Nokes) and Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell). Departing regular cast included Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon), Shane Richie (Alfie Moon), Rakhee Thakrar (Shabnam Masood), Matt Di Angelo (Dean Wicks), Maddy Hill (Nancy Carter), Himesh Patel (Tamwar Masood), Labey (Paul Coker), Karl Howman (Buster Briggs), Lin Blakley (Pam Coker), Sloman (Les Coker), Derges (Andy Flynn), Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed), Ellen Thomas (Claudette Hubbard) and Riley Carter Millington (Kyle Slater). Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) and Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) also made temporary on-screen departures after taking maternity leave, while Jake Wood (Max Branning) returned following a temporary break.

Cast and characters
On 17 December 2015, Treadwell-Collins said there would be "some big returns" of characters in 2016. On 18 October 2015, it was announced that Derek Martin, who played Charlie Slater regularly from 2000 until 2011, would return to the role. He returned for five episodes in January and was killed off in a "tearjerker" storyline. On 16 December 2015, it was announced that the character of Louise Mitchell, daughter of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), would return to the series, with the part recast to Tilly Keeper. The next day, it was reported that Glenda Mitchell, played by Glynis Barber, would return for the two episodes on New Year's Day. On 20 December 2015, the return of Belinda Peacock was announced, with the part recast to Carli Norris. The second episode broadcast on 1 January features a surprise return appearance of Lucas Johnson, played by Don Gilet, and on 9 January, it was announced that Lucas's son, Jordan Johnson, would return, with the part recast to Joivan Wade. The next day it was confirmed that Gilet would return as Lucas later in the year. Barbara Windsor made an unannounced return to the show as Peggy Mitchell in the episode broadcast on 15 January, and it was subsequently announced that the character would be killed off later in the year. Three days later, it was confirmed that Ross Kemp would return as Peggy's son Grant Mitchell for her death. The episode of 22 January featured the unannounced return of Neil McDermott in the role of Ryan Malloy, confirmed to be a "brief" return. However, on 20 July 2016, it was reported that McDermott had returned to filming and would return to screens in September.

On 6 February 2016, it was confirmed that the character of Johnny Carter would return, with the part to be recast after Sam Strike left the role in 2014. Subsequently, it was announced that Ted Reilly would take over the role. On 27 February 2016, the return of Peggy's daughter, Sam Mitchell, played by Danniella Westbrook, was confirmed for "a few" episodes, for Peggy's funeral. Janet Dibley also returned to the cast as Lorna Cartwright, 18 years since she departed, in the episode broadcast on 17 March. On 23 March 2016, it was reported that Pam St. Clement would return to the role of Pat Butcher, said to be Peggy's hallucination as the character was killed off in 2012; though no official announcement was made, Pat appeared as a hallucination in the episode shown on 17 May 2016 in which Peggy dies. Returns for Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Linda Clarke (Lynda Baron), brother and mother respectively of Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), were confirmed on 8 April 2016. Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) returned to filming after taking maternity leave in 2015, and Jake Wood (Max Branning) also returned following a break from the series. The return of Aaron Sidwell in his role of Steven Beale was announced on 2 May 2016. On 4 August 2016, Grant's daughter Courtney Mitchell made an unannounced appearance, with the part recast to Alice Nokes.

A two-episode return for Michael Cashman in the role of Colin Russell, last seen on screen in 1989, was announced on 25 August, making him the first character to be brought back by executive producer Sean O'Connor. Maisie Smith and Devon Higgs made unannounced temporary returns to their roles of Tiffany Butcher and Morgan Butcher in the episode shown on 3 November, and the next day, a brief return for Ian Lavender as Derek Harkinson, who left in 2005, was confirmed for the Christmas period. O'Connor also brought back original character Michelle Fowler, recast to Jenna Russell after original actress Susan Tully retired from acting. The character of Heather Trott, played by Cheryl Fergison, also returned for a single episode, though Fergison only provided a voiceover as the character was killed off in 2012. Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) made her second return guest return of 2016, this time unannounced, in the final episode of the year, along with her on-screen son, Danny Mitchell (Liam Bergin).

The first new character to be announced was Linford Short, a foster son of Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas), played by Leon Lopez, who would be appearing in a guest role. Amy-Leigh Hickman joined the series in a recurring role as Linzi Bragg, and a guest role for Denise Welch as Alison Slater, mother of Kyle Slater (Riley Carter Millington), was announced on 24 March. The first new regular character announced was for Welsh singer Shaheen Jafargholi, playing Shakil Kazemi, 15-year-old son of Carmel Kazemi (Bonnie Langford) and brother of Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami). A guest role for Gary Webster as Neville Peacock was announced on 2 May. Ned Porteous joined the cast for a short stint, with an unannounced arrival on 11 August, as the character Mark Fowler, son of Michelle Fowler and Grant Mitchell.

The first regular characters to leave the cast in 2016 were Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace); on 20 January, actor Richie confirmed that they would leave their roles that month to appear in a six-part spin-off, Redwater, but did not think they would then return to EastEnders. Shabnam Masood, played by Rakhee Thakrar, made a previously unannounced departure on 5 February 2016. Dean Wicks, played by Matt Di Angelo, made his last appearance on 5 February after his departure was announced on 22 October 2015. Departures for Maddy Hill (Nancy Carter) and Himesh Patel (Tamwar Masood) were announced on 12 March 2016; they left together on 22 April. Jonny Labey's "explosive" departure from his role as Paul Coker was announced on 19 April; the character was killed off and made a final appearance on 8 September. Andy Flynn (Jack Derges), who joined the show in 2016, departed on 8 August, at the conclusion of the storyline that the character was created for. On 26 July it was confirmed that Karl Howman had already filmed his exit as Buster Briggs.

The first characters to leave under O'Connor's decision were husband and wife Les Coker (Roger Sloman) and Pam Coker (Lin Blakley), when it was decided their storyline had run its course. Nitin Ganatra's decision to leave after nine years playing Masood Ahmed was announced on 2 September 2016. The latter part of the year also saw temporary departures for actresses Natalie Cassidy and Kellie Bright, who play Sonia Fowler and Linda Carter respectively, as both took maternity leave. A departure for the character Claudette Hubbard, played by Ellen Thomas, was announced on 13 September 2016, though Thomas confirmed it was a termporary story break. The departure of Riley Carter Millington in his role as Kyle Slater was announced on 14 September when it was said his storylines had come to a "natural end". Norris made an unannounced departure from her role as Belinda Peacock in the episode shown on 11 November.

The following is a full list of the EastEnders 2016 cast, followed by their respective episode count out of 210 total episodes.

Regular cast

 * Danny-Boy Hatchard as Lee Carter (142 episodes)
 * Danny Dyer as Mick Carter (141 episodes)
 * Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Sullivan (137 episodes)
 * Kellie Bright as Linda Carter (136 episodes)
 * James Bye as Martin Fowler (135 episodes)
 * Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell (135 episodes)
 * Letitia Dean as Sharon Mitchell (130 episodes)
 * Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean (130 episodes)
 * Lacey Turner as Stacey Branning (124 episodes)
 * Diane Parish as Denise Fox (123 episodes)
 * Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell (119 episodes)
 * Davood Ghadami as Kush Kazemi (118 episodes)
 * Lisa Hammond as Donna Yates (115 episodes)
 * Bonnie Langford as Carmel Kazemi (114 episodes)
 * Samantha Womack as Ronnie Mitchell (111 episodes)
 * Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale (108 episodes)
 * Annette Badland as Babe Smith (106 episodes)
 * Linda Henry as Shirley Carter (104 episodes)
 * Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell (102 episodes)
 * Luisa Bradshaw-White as Tina Carter (101 episodes)
 * Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown (100 episodes)
 * Scott Maslen as Jack Branning (99 episodes)
 * Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell (95 episodes)
 * Jasmine Armfield as Rebecca "Bex" Fowler (93 episodes)
 * Tilly Keeper as Louise Mitchell (93 episodes)
 * Laurie Brett as Jane Beale (91 episodes)
 * Ted Reilly as Johnny Carter (89 episodes)
 * Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman (89 episodes)
 * Tameka Empson as Kim Fox-Hubbard (87 episodes)
 * Lin Blakley as Pam Coker (85 episodes)
 * Rita Simons as Roxy Mitchell (80 episodes)
 * Lorna Fitzgerald as Abi Branning (78 episodes)
 * Karl Howman as Buster Briggs (76 episodes)
 * Richard Blackwood as Vincent Hubbard (75 episodes)
 * Nitin Ganatra as Masood Ahmed (75 episodes)
 * Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler (74 episodes)
 * Roger Sloman as Les Coker (73 episodes)
 * Riley Carter Millington as Kyle Slater (67 episodes)
 * June Brown as Dot Branning (65 episodes)
 * Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning (65 episodes)
 * Jonny Labey as Paul Coker (62 episodes)
 * Ellen Thomas as Claudette Hubbard (62 episodes)
 * Shaheen Jafargholi as Shakil Kazemi (61 episodes)
 * Aaron Sidwell as Steven Beale (58 episodes)
 * Maddy Hill as Nancy Carter (56 episodes)
 * Carli Norris as Belinda Peacock (49 episodes)
 * Jack Derges as Andy Flynn (35 episodes)
 * Himesh Patel as Tamwar Masood (33 episodes)
 * Linda Marlowe as Sylvie Carter (27 episodes)
 * Paul Nicholas as Gavin Sullivan (15 episodes)
 * Rakhee Thakrar as Shabnam Masood (15 episodes)
 * Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon (14 episodes)
 * Shane Richie as Alfie Moon (13 episodes)
 * Laila Morse as Mo Harris (10 episodes)
 * Jake Wood as Max Branning (7 episodes)
 * Matt Di Angelo as Dean Wicks (5 episodes)
 * Jenna Russell as Michelle Fowler (5 episodes)
 * Maria Friedman as Elaine Peacock (3 episodes)

Recurring and guest cast

 * Bleu Landau as Dennis Rickman (51 episodes)
 * Aine Garvey as Lily Branning (50 episodes)
 * Abbie Knowles as Amy Mitchell (48 episodes)
 * Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell (36 episodes)
 * Henri Charles as Ricky Mitchell (35 episodes)
 * Arian Chikhlia as Kamil Masood (25 episodes)
 * Grace as Janet Mitchell (25 episodes)
 * Eliot Carrington as Bobby Beale (20 episodes)
 * Ian Lavender as Derek Harkinson (17 episodes)
 * Belinda Owusu as Libby Fox (17 episodes)
 * Amy-Leigh Hickman as Linzi Bragg (16 episodes)
 * Zayden Kareem as JJ Johnson (14 episodes)
 * Alice Nokes as Courtney Mitchell (13 episodes)
 * Ned Porteous as Mark Fowler (13 episodes)
 * Joivan Wade as Jordan Johnson (13 episodes)
 * Ross Kemp as Grant Mitchell (12 episodes)
 * Sian Webber as Ritchie Scott (12 episodes)
 * Emmanuella Cole as Eve Igwe (11 episodes)
 * Noah Maxwell-Clarke as Osman "Oz" Bolat (11 episodes)
 * Poppy Rush as Sophie Dodd (11 episodes)
 * Jade Williams as Nurse Anya Barowski (11 episodes)
 * Amaya Edward as Jade Green (10 episodes)
 * Shay Crotty as Tommy Moon (8 episodes)
 * Martina Laird as DC Angie Rice (8 episodes)
 * Lorraine Stanley as Thelma Bragg (8 episodes)
 * Tristam Summers as Tom Pepper (8 episodes)
 * Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell (8 episodes)
 * Ben Champniss as Shrimpy (7 episodes)
 * Don Gilet as Lucas Johnson (7 episodes)
 * Leon Lopez as Linford Short (7 episodes)
 * Neil McDermott as Ryan Malloy (7 episodes)
 * Gwyneth Strong as Geraldine Clough (7 episodes)
 * Glynis Barber as Glenda Mitchell (6 episodes)
 * Lynda Baron as Linda Clarke (6 episodes)
 * Silas Carson as Haroon Zaman (6 episodes)
 * Tom Palmer as Simon Atmore (6 episodes)
 * Charlie Baker as Tim Reynolds (5 episodes)
 * Rachel Bavidge as Dr Natasha Black (5 episodes)
 * Derek Martin as Charlie Slater (5 episodes)
 * Christopher Dane as Jørgen Christensen (4 episodes)
 * Jan Harvey as Margaret Midhurst (4 episodes)
 * Tom Holloway as Tom Eden (4 episodes)
 * Mia Jenkins as Hannah Reynolds (4 episodes)
 * Anna Karen as Aunt Sal (4 episodes)
 * Alison Newman as DI Samantha Keeble (4 episodes)
 * Bailey Patrick as Mike Rendon (4 episodes)
 * Carolyn Pickles as Dr Delia Forde (4 episodes)
 * Leon Tennant as Frankie Byrne (4 episodes)
 * Glen Wallace as DS Cameron Bryant (4 episodes)
 * Chris Waller as Neil Crossley (4 episodes)
 * Gary Webster as Neville Peacock (4 episodes)
 * Danniella Westbrook as Sam Mitchell (4 episodes)
 * Ross Anthony-McCormack as Connor Parry (3 episodes)
 * Daniel Attwell as Keith Howard (3 episodes)
 * Emmanuelle Bouaziz as Delphine Rousseau (3 episodes)
 * Janet Dibley as Lorna Cartwright (3 episodes)
 * Hazel Ellerby as Diane Atmore (3 episodes)
 * Tommy French as Sid Yexley (3 episodes)
 * Sam Gittins as Moose (3 episodes)
 * Aneirin Hughes as Andy Jones (3 episodes)
 * Michael Keating as The Reverend Mr Stevens (3 episodes)
 * Daniel Llewelyn-Williams as Dr Rhys Thomas (3 episodes)
 * Simon Lowe as Derek Evans (3 episodes)
 * Tony O'Callaghan as Ollie Walters (3 episodes)
 * John Partridge as Christian Clarke (3 episodes)
 * Gillian Wright as Jean Walters (3 episodes)
 * Jack Bence as Beanbag (2 episodes)
 * Emily Bowker as Jemima Benjamin (2 episodes)
 * Criselda Cabitac as Nurse Rosie Riviera (2 episodes)
 * Michael Cashman as Colin Russell (2 episodes)
 * Helen Cotterill as Miriam Crabbe (2 episodes)
 * Victor Gardener as DC Fred Cole (2 episodes)
 * Ian Gelder as Dr Adam Gorman (2 episodes)
 * Raj Ghatak as Dr Vikram Suresh (2 episodes)
 * Devon Higgs as Morgan Butcher (2 episodes)
 * Cameron Jack as Estate Agent Rob (2 episodes)
 * Emily Joyce as Dr Janice May (2 episodes)
 * Amy Marston as Jenny Rawlinson (2 episodes)
 * Sandy McDade as Sister Judith (2 episodes)
 * Shanaya Rafaat as Dr Avizeh Faraji (2 episodes)
 * Sally Rogers as Karen Beckworth (2 episodes)
 * Tallulah Sheffield as Laura Crowe (2 episodes)
 * Kevin Shen as Eddie Tsang (2 episodes)
 * Sadie Shimmin as Hilary Taylor (2 episodes)
 * Maisie Smith as Tiffany Butcher (2 episodes)
 * Paul Stocker as DS Howard South (2 episodes)
 * June Whitfield as Sister Ruth (2 episodes)
 * David Ajao as Craig Washington (1 episode)
 * Zee Asha as Maggie O'Shea (1 episode)
 * Mark Bagnall as Harry Beckett (1 episode)
 * Liam Bergin as Danny Mitchell (1 episode)
 * Gareth Berliner as Ozzy Fletcher (1 episode)
 * Julian Bird as Clive Morris (1 episode)
 * Sophia Brown as Amelle Ellington (1 episode)
 * Tim Chipping as Geoff Golightly (1 episode)
 * Elly Condron as Jill Hanson (1 episode)
 * Cheryl Fergison as Heather Trott (1 episode)
 * Andy Gillies as Stuart Ashe (1 episode)
 * Nicholas Goh as Mr Henry Chen (1 episode)
 * Cate Hamer as Dr Leah Goldberg (1 episode)
 * Lesley Harcourt as Katie Wagstaff (1 episode)
 * Jenny Howe as Judge Harriet Steele (1 episode)
 * Ian Hughes as Dr Glen Mander (1 episode)
 * Gina Issac as Dr Melissa Keyes (1 episode)
 * Helen Keeley as Sammy Broomhill (1 episode)
 * Michael Leader as Michael (1 episode)
 * Harry Neale as Jimmy Summers (1 episode)
 * Ben Onwukwe as Dessie Dunn (1 episode)
 * David Paisley as Tom Edwards (1 episode)
 * Krupa Pattani as Dr Anjali Mitra (1 episode)
 * Gary Pillai as DC Dev Bansal (1 episode)
 * Pam St. Clement as Pat Butcher (1 episode)
 * Denise Welch as Alison Slater (1 episode)
 * Luke Williams as PC Julian Walsh (1 episode)
 * Natasha Williams as Nurse Rowan Kennedy (1 episode)
 * Nick Wilton as Mr Lister (1 episode)
 * Rhys Yates as Rodney Bragg (1 episode)
 * Arayah as Pearl Fox-Hubbard (unknown episodes)
 * Freddie and Stanley Beale as Bert and Ernie Moon (unknown episodes)
 * Hot Lips as Lady Di (unknown episodes)
 * Jack, and Charlie Harrington as Ollie Carter (unknown episodes)
 * Zack Karbritz as Matthew Mitchell Cotton (unknown episodes)
 * Oscar Winehouse as Louie Beale (unknown episodes)
 * Unknown as Arthur Fowler (unknown episodes)

List of episodes
During 2016, EastEnders typically aired four half-hour episodes each week in a time slot of 8.00pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each episode was repeated the same evening on BBC Three, until 15 February when the channel was discontinued as a television service. The relaunched channel W then took over the same-day repeats, and brought back the weekly omnibus edition on Sundays. Until episodes shown in July, each episode was executively produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, whose departure from EastEnders after two-and-a-half years was announced on 18 February 2016. Sean O'Connor, former EastEnders series story producer and then-editor on radio soap opera The Archers, was announced to be taking over the role. Treadwell-Collins left on 6 May and O'Connor's first credited episode was broadcast on 11 July, though due to the scripts and storylines being produced in advance, O'Connor's own creative work was not seen on screen until September.

All official ratings cover a period of 28 days from the original broadcast, and are taken from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB). Airdates, credits, running times and episode summaries are taken from episodes, the official EastEnders website and BBC programme schedules. Episode numbers are taken from Radio Times.


 * January (19 episodes)
 * February (17 episodes)
 * March (18 episodes)
 * April (18 episodes)
 * May (19 episodes)
 * June (15 episodes)
 * July (15 episodes)
 * August (18 episodes)
 * September (18 episodes)
 * October (17 episodes)
 * November (16 episodes)
 * December (20 episodes)

January
The New Year focuses on the wedding of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), and the continuing aftermath of Linda's rape by Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), and events within the Slater family. On 27 September 2015, it was revealed that Dyer would be wearing a wetsuit for scenes broadcast on New Year's Day, and executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins confirmed there would be "a big resolution" in the episode. The scenes were filmed at the Underwater Stage at Pinewood Studios and on location in a lake at Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire. On 7 December 2015, it was announced that Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) would give birth at Christmas 2015 and would suffer from postpartum psychosis, a storyline that would continue into "the beginning of 2016 as we explore Stacey's bipolar disorder and its effects on her and those closest to her." Derek Martin returned as Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) father, Charlie Slater, and June Whitfield returned as Sister Ruth, who tells Kat that her daughter Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) is actually a twin and Kat has a son she does not know about, events which lead to Charlie's death of a sudden heart attack and Kat and Alfie's departures. January's storylines also see Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) continue his battle with cirrhosis due to his alcoholism, and Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) developing an infatuation with Mick, the father of her boyfriend Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard).

February
Stacey Branning's (Lacey Turner) postpartum psychosis continued this month, of which the BBC said, "Stacey's story intensifies and viewers will see her make a life-changing decision that hugely concerns Martin" and it was confirmed that this part of the storyline would form part of the BBC's In the Mind season on mental health. February also sees the departure of Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar), and the return of Jordan Johnson (Joivan Wade). During this month, Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) fakes a pregnancy in an attempt to keep her relationship with Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid), who wants to end it because he is gay. The storyline develops when Ben later contracts chlamydia, while Abi has sex with Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard) in a bid to become pregnant. For the serial's thirty-first anniversary, producers paid homage to a 1986 scene which sees Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) hand his wife Angie Watts (Anita Dobson) divorce papers when Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) hands his estranged wife Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) divorce papers.

March
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins confirmed on 17 December 2015 that 2016 would see a big storyline for Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and viewers would discover Claudette Hubbard's (Ellen Thomas) "true colours". On 25 February 2016, it was announced that there would be "high drama" for the Foxes and Hubbards, in the week starting 7 March, which would revolve around Claudette and Denise, who finds herself in a "troubling situation" when Jordan Johnson (Joivan Wade) causes problems. In the episodes, Claudette confesses to murdering her husband and allowing the death of Fatboy (Ricky Norwood), is strangled by her son Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood), gets knocked out after falling down stairs and is presumed dead, and is buried by Vincent but then revealed to viewers to be alive, with Vincent and Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) then attempting to cover up a crime that has not actually happened. March also features a health scare for Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) son Ollie Carter, who is found unconscious in his cot, the start of a stalking storyline for Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) putting someone's life in danger when he destroys the car lot with a digger.

April
April's storylines include the continuation of Ronnie Mitchell's (Samantha Womack) stalking storyline, in which someone emails funeral director Les Coker (Roger Sloman) that she has died, Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper) discovering that Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) has lied to Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) that she was pregnant and suffered a miscarriage, using it to take revenge on Ben for his behaviour towards her when they were much younger, and Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) being released from a mental health facility and her mother Jean Walters (Gillian Wright) refusing to believe that Stacey's half brother Kyle Slater (Riley Carter Millington) is transgender. It was also announced in December 2015 that one of the biggest storylines of the year would be for the character Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), a storyline that starts this month when he discovers his girlfriend Linzi Bragg (Amy-Leigh Hickman) is 14 years old and therefore below the legal age of consent. It was said that Jay would face "severe consequences". April also sees the departures of Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) and Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel).

May
In May, Ronnie Mitchell's (Samantha Womack) stalker is revealed to be Andy Flynn (Jack Derges). Peggy Mitchell's (Barbara Windsor) death takes place this month, after she decides to stop her cancer treatment and spend time with her family. Windsor said it was "the perfect ending" for Peggy. Christian Clarke (John Partridge) returned at the end of the month to be a part of a big Beale family storyline, and the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline was revisited, with Bobby Beale (Eliot Carrington) confessing to killing his sister Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) after brutally attacking his adoptive mother Jane Beale (Laurie Brett). Aaron Sidwell (Steven Beale) and Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) also reprised their roles in May. Jossa returned after taking maternity leave, while Sidwell returned to the role after an eight year absence. On his return, the actor commeneted, "I was really happy to be asked back. It felt like the right time for me and the right time for the character." This month also sees the start of a storyline in which Babe Smith (Annette Badland) blackmails Les Coker (Roger Sloman) over his crossdressing.

June
June's storylines include Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond) asking her foster brother Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) to be a sperm donor and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) trying to find a job after he was put onto the sex offenders register but being unsuccessful and turning to drug dealing, Also this month, Les Coker (Roger Sloman) suffers a heart attack while dressed as his female alter ego Christine and is found by his wife Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) and Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook) returns for her mother Peggy Mitchell's (Barbara Windsor) funeral.

July
July includes the funeral of Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), and Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) discovering she is pregnant by her boyfriend Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard). Also this month, the Mitchell and Beale families are told that Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) has died from injuries sustained in an incident, a storyline which will "mark the beginning of a very testing time for several residents of Albert Square as lives are shattered and families are thrown into turmoil", though it is a mistaken identity and Ben's boyfriend Paul Coker (Jonny Labey) is the one who is dead, having been subjected to a homophobic attack. July also includes the exit of Gavin Sullivan (Paul Nicholas) when he is arrested, and of his sister, recurring character Margaret Midhurst (Jan Harvey), whom he kills.

August
In August, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) discovers that Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard) cheated on her with Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and briefly ends their relationship, Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) discovers the true identity of Andy Flynn (Jack Derges) and Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) discovers that Babe Smith (Annette Badland) is blackmailing the Cokers. Babe also becomes the victim of a revenge attack, though viewers are unaware of the attacker, with suspects including Abi, Claudette, Les Coker (Roger Sloman), Pam Coker (Lin Blakley), Whitney, Babe's sister Sylvie Carter (Linda Marlowe), Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Lee, Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid), Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). Abi is revealed as the culprit, but Babe manipulates the situation to her own needs and blames Sylvie. Also this month, Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) finds cocaine in her home belonging to Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).

September
In September, Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) are kidnapped by the men who killed Ben's boyfriend Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) discovers that Mark Fowler (Ned Porteous) is his son. Also, Ben offers to donate part of his liver to his father Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) accepts that her husband Les Coker (Roger Sloman) needs to cross-dress, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) leaves and Denise Fox (Diane Parish) realises that Phil is the father of her unborn child. September also saw the introduction of an ongoing subplot in which Walford Council introduce fortnightly recycling bin collections, causing confusion and annoyance among the characters living on Albert Square.

October
October's storylines include Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) suffering a late miscarriage at 14 weeks of pregnancy, which was praised by charity Tommy's, who worked with EastEnders on the storyline. A spokesperson for the charity said, "We were delighted when the EastEnders team got in contact to discuss Whitney's storyline, not just from a medical perspective, but also to understand the emotional devastation miscarriage can cause and how Whitney and Lee are feeling. [...] The EastEnders team were fantastic in showing that Whitney found it much harder, emotionally and physically, to go through miscarriage, than she expected. This is such a service to real women who have suffered miscarriage." Husband and wife Les Coker (Roger Sloman) and Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) also make their departures this month, when the characters retire and move away. The recycling bin collection storyline also continued throughout the month, with scenes often showing litter building up on the street, which Duncan Lindsay from the Metro opined was a way of the new producer Sean O'Connor to make the characters and storylines more relatable to viewers, along with Belinda Peacock's (Carli Norris) debt problems, Kim Fox-Hubbard's (Tameka Empson) driving test storyline, and Dennis Rickman's (Bleu Landau) bad behaviour.

November
November's storylines include Dot Branning (June Brown) discovering that she may have age-related macular degeneration, and Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) sending a nude photo of himself to his girlfriend, Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield), and asking her to send photos back in return, a storyline that has ongoing repurcussions into 2017. This month also saw departures for Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) and his son Kamil Masood (Arian Chikhlia), and Belinda Slater (Carli Norris), who leaves to go travelling with her old school friend, Maggie O'Shea (Zee Asha).

December
On 22 November, EastEnders revealed some teasers as to what would be happening in Christmas storylines, including that Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) family facing the prospect that it could be his last Christmas as his health deteriorates, Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard) struggling with the burden of his secrets, and the return of Max Branning (Jake Wood) on Christmas Day, after being acquitted of murdering Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) and wanting revenge on those who wronged him, including Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and his own daughters Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald). In December, a robbery at The Queen Victoria pub is revealed to have been organised by Lee as a way to pay off his mounting debts. On 3 December, it was confirmed that Lee would "reach breaking point" over Christmas, leading to his wife Whitney Carter (Shona McGarty) becoming "concerned" and "fed up" with his behaviour. The show worked with the charity Samaritans to develop Lee's storyline as he contemplates suicide in the episodes broadcast on 29 and 30 December. The charity's media advisor, Lorna Fraser, said she was "pleased" that the show sought guidance from them. Hatchard said that he hoped the storyline would "encourage people to speak out about their problems".