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The feud between the Mitchells and Hubbards reaches breaking point, leading Phil to take drastic action. Linda comes up with a plan to bring Mick and Shirley back together.

As Kim is pushing her pram past the Vic Baby Pearl drops her doll. Phil comes speeding around the corner in his car and crushes it. Kim tells Vincent that if he won’t sort things out with Phil she will. She heads over to see Sharon and tells her what Phil did to Pearl’s doll with his reckless driving. Sharon seems oblivious to what is going on. When she finally starts to listen Kim screams at a large spider on the chair next to her. Sharon points out that it’s fake. The real one is upstairs; Dennis is looking after the school tarantula.

Sharon and Kim lock Vincent and Phil in the Albert telling them to sort things out. The pair argue and Ronnie intervenes putting pressure on them that it has to stop for their families sake. They reluctantly nod in agreement. Kim tells Claudette she has sorted it out between the Hubbards and the Mitchells. Claudette tells Vincent he should finish it for the sake of his Father, Kim tells her to stay out of it. In the Minute Mart Denise refuses to serve Phil on Sharon’s request. Phil steals a bottle from behind the counter. Shirley insists that Denise doesn’t call the police and pays for the drink with the dog food money Linda gave her. Shirley has a heart to heart with Phil, while he’s still drinking. Shirley gives him words of wisdom and reminds him of the importance of children and that he needs to pull himself together. Fatboy buys Donna a cake as a peace offering. Donna finally gives in and invites him round to babysit Pearl. Fatboy opens the door of No.1 to Phil who invites himself in to get Vincent’s paperwork. Fatboy panics when he realises Phil was upstairs and has left. Kim and Vincent have a drink to celebrate but are interrupted by the phone, Vincent runs out. Phil has taken Pearl. Vincent returns home and goes to the safe. He pulls out a gun and says that this ends now…

In the café Stacey pleads with Kush no to tell Shabnam about Arthur. She says Shabnam has been through too much recently and Martin can’t wait for the baby. Shabnam arrives at the café and asks Kush if he’s still happy to attend her appointment with her. As he leaves the café he tells Stacey he’s going to tell Shabnam and that he expects Stacey to tell Martin. The Doctor informs Shabnam that she has found small abnormalities in her uterus; she’ll need to perform some tests. Shabnam is upset and wants to know more information. Martin fools around with Stacey in the market by kissing her baby bump. Shabnam and Kush walk past them. Stacey asks if Shabnam wants a drink with her. Kush offers to make Shabnam lunch which she accepts. Carmel tells Stacey that Kush won’t change his mind. Kush tries to tell Shabnam but she tells him she already knows. She knows that he wants a wife who can provide him with children. He can’t bring himself to tell her the truth and promises to be there for her. Stacey asks Martin to get cover for the stall and prepares to tell him.

Mick tries to cheer Linda up by cooking her favourite dinner, cottage pie and parsnips. She unpacks the rest of Mick’s shopping and pulls out a box of Turkish delight commenting that nobody in the family eats them except Shirley. Tina walks in excited about Santa day. Linda has a plan to bring Dean and Shirley together. She tells him that the Santa agency has cancelled and asks him to dress up as Santa. Shirley and Buster greet Jade as she prepares to move in with them. Dean excuses himself and tells Jade he’s busy. Linda asks if Shirley can look after Lady Di. She then asks Jade if she wants to make some pocket money and asks her to come and see Santa in the Vic.

Kathy and Jane talk in the café. Kathy offers to buy Ben his breakfast. Jane suggests that the Beale’s and the Mitchells spend Christmas together; Ben is open to the idea. When Ben approaches Phil about the idea Phil snaps. Outside the café Jane hits her ankle and is still in pain from her fall. Sharon insists she goes to the Doctor. Jane and Sharon arrive back at the Beale’s. Jane’s broken a rib. Bobby very quickly apologises to her. Kathy is suspicious, but Jane makes up an excuse for him. Ian isn’t very enthusiastic about the Mitchells and the Beale’s spending Christmas together, but Sharon and Jane insist upon it.

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30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Shakin’ Stevens

    Merry Christmas Everyone

  • Andy Williams

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

  • Step Into Christmas

  • Wham!

    Last Christmas

  • Robbie Williams

    Walk This Sleigh

  • Michael Bublé

    Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

  • Alexandra Burke

    Hallelujah

  • Nero

    Two Minds

  • Freddie McGregor

    O Come All Ye Faithful

  • Skepta & JME

    That's Not Me

  • The Weeknd

    The Hills

  • Brad Paisley

    Silver Bells

  • The Kingstonians

    Merry Christmas

  • Salvation Army

    God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

  • Salvation Army

    Ding Dong Merrily On High

Credits

Role Contributor
Vincent Hubbard Richard Blackwood
Donna Yates Lisa Hammond
Claudette Hubbard Ellen Thomas
Kim Fox-Hubbard Tameka Empson
Denise Fox Diane Parish
Arthur Chubb Ricky Norwood
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Sharon Mitchell Letitia Dean
Ronnie Mitchell Samantha Womack
Ben Mitchell Harry Reid
Kathy Sullivan Gillian Taylforth
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Jane Beale Laurie Brett
Martin Fowler James Bye
Stacey Branning Lacey Turner
Shabnam Kazemi Rakhee Thakrar
Kush Kazemi Davood Ghadami
Carmel Kazemi Bonnie Langford
Dean Wicks Matt Di Angelo
Andrew 'Buster' Briggs Karl Howman
Shirley Carter Linda Henry
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Bobby Beale Eliot Carrington
Jade Green Amaya Edward
Lily Branning Aine Garvey
Fiona Payne Sandra James-Young
Dr Nina Tan Wendy Kweh
Writer Paul Quiney
Director Rebecca Gatward
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Broadcasts