Why isn't EastEnders on tonight? BBC soap taken off air again in major schedule shake-up

EastEnders fans won't be able to take their usual Thursday visit to Albert Square tonight, as the soap has been taken off air yet again in another huge schedule shake-up.

The BBC soap has seen huge changes in the schedule over the past few weeks with major sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Women's Euros broadcasting on the BBC. Although Wimbledon came to an end over the weekend, the Women's Euros are still in full swing - affecting EastEnders' schedule.

The Lionesses are still very much in the running to take home the title with their quarter final against Sweden being broadcast on the BBC tonight from 7pm, wrapping up at 10.15pm. This means that unfortunately there's no room for EastEnders on tonight's schedule.

However, EastEnders fans still received their two hour dose of Walford drama this week, as the soap aired a double bill on Tuesday night. The dramatic episodes saw Karen Henthorn reprise her role as Julie Bates after 27 years as Jay Brown contacted her to let her know Nigel was in Walford.

Julie wasn't best pleased that Nigel and Phil had kept her in the dark, and towards the end of the double bill, she was seen taking Nigel home to Scotland. A heartbroken Phil couldn't bring himself to say goodbye to his best friend - but is it the last we'll see of Nigel?

EastEnders fans will have to wait until Monday for the next instalment, and once again, they'll have to deal with another schedule shake-up. Fans will be treated to another double bill on Monday night, with both episodes dropping at 6am on iPlayer.

For those who want to wait until the evening, the first episode will be airing on BBC One at 7.30pm, with the second airing straight after at 8pm.

The soap will air in its usual 7.30pm slot on Tuesday, however will be taken off air again next Wednesday for the second semi-final of the Women's Euros. Business will commence as usual on Thursday evening, as the soap will be back in its usual 7.30pm slot.

Spoilers for next week tease an explosive week for the soap, as the new owners of the Queen Vic will be revealed. It's the end of an era for the Carters as Linda and her mother Elaine agreed to sell. Next week, the auction will begin as a bidding war ensues between the Slaters, the Beales and a developer. But who will emerge victorious?

Elsewhere, it looks like Max Branning may not be too far away from returning to Walford as Linda Carter decides to tell Oscar the fact her daughter Annie is his biological half-sister. Oscar's father Max Branning has no idea Linda's daughter is his child.

Oscar decides Max needs to know the truth and is keen to tell him, leaving Linda terrified. Lauren Branning is tasked with trying to reason with her brother - is Max's return sooner than we think?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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