EastEnders faces a schedule change this week as World Cup coverage on BBC One moves the soap with episodes also airing at altered times
The WC is set to pull EastEnders off BBC One(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
This week’s World Cup action on BBC One disrupts EastEnders’ usual broadcast times.
Monday 15 June at BBC One will show Belgium v Egypt, with coverage before the match kicks off at 19.30 before 20.00 the whistle. Accordingly EastEnders will switch to BBC Two, although it will still be on at its usual 7:30 p.m. time.
The same switch takes place on Tuesday 16 June when France take on Senegal. BBC One’s coverage begins at 7.30pm before the 8pm kick-off, so EastEnders reappears on BBC Two at 7.30pm.
On Wednesday 17 June, the soap will remain on BBC One but will be delayed to 5pm. 20.30 due to coverage between Portugal and DR Congo.
Thursday’s schedule also faces disruption from the World Cup matches. The Czech Republic v South Africa kicks off at 5pm, pushing back BBC News and bumping EastEnders to 8.30pm on BBC One, reports Daily Star.
Friday remains unchanged as EastEnders does not air that night. Despite these timing tweaks, fans will still receive their normal four half-hour installments throughout the week.
ITV audiences should note that WC programming is similarly affecting Emmerdale and Kroningsgade schedules this week as football coverage reshuffles ITV’s standard line-up.
Fans should also prepare for the annual Wimbledon coverage, which may bring further changes to the schedule. The prestigious tennis tournament starts on June 29.
EastEnders enthusiasts are getting ready to say goodbye to a relatively fresh face on the soap as reports suggest actress Ronni Ancona is set to leave the show within weeks.
The Sun reports that the actress’ time in Albert Square is coming to an end after just a handful of months on our screens. Ancona joined the BBC soap last year and made her first appearance in January 2026 as Bea Pollard, a former school friend of Linda Carter.
A familiar presence across television, film and comedy, Ancona boasts a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. Her impressive CV includes appearances in Last Tango in Halifax, Penelope, Skins and The Trip, while she also co-created and starred in the sketch show Big Impression.
Specific details of Bea’s exit narrative remain under wraps for now, but viewers should anticipate the character’s exit from Walford in the coming weeks.
EastEnders can be watched on BBC iPlayer
