Wednesday 19th February 2025 ( Series 91 Preliminary 33)
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 12:46 pm
Hello and welcome to another Wednesday recap
On this day in 1985 BBC launches the British soap opera Eastenders. The show's first episode attratcted 17 million viewers and continued to attract high viewing figures from then on. Here is a still featuring the original cast from Eastenders.
A couple of notable storylines on the show included Dirty Den Watts impregnating 16 year old Michelle Fowler which was the first teenage pregnancy on the show and highly controversial for a soap opera.
Arthur Fowler suffering a nervous breakdown on Christmas Day after he stole the Christmas Club Money to finance his daughters wedding.
Another notable episode that was on Christmas day 1986 when Den Watts served divorce papers on his long suffering wife Angie after discovering her lies and betrayal. A record 30 million viewers tuned in, it remains as the highest viewed episode for a soap opera in British History.
"Happy Christmas Ange ! " After Dirty Den serves Angie with divorce papers
Eastenders is no stranger to controversy featuring hard hitting storylines from the 1980s such as teenage pregnancy, cot death, homophobia and blackmail, murder, racism and unemployment. In 1987 the show featured the first same sex kiss featuring the characters Colin and Barry.
In the 1990s more hard hitting storylines such as Diane Butcher's homeless storyline Mark Fowler revealing to his parents that he is HIV positive,another homeless storyline in 1993 featuring it's young characters Mandy and Aidan who then spiral into an addiction to drugs and alcohol.One of it's characters Aidan attempting suicide. The show was made aware of stigma and ignorance of Peggy Mitchell when she discovered that Mark Fowler was HIV positive, Mark later forgave Peggy after learning she had breast cancer the show also dealt with mixed race relationships. Mental health was at the forefront when one of it's characters Joe Wicks developed Schizophrenia. In the 2000s the show delivered more hard hitting storylines such as Euthanasia featuring Dot and Ethel, domestic violence and coercive control featuring the characters Little Mo and Trevor, other issues such as prostitution, adult illiteracy, child abuse and drug addiction were at the forefront of the show.
A still from Eastenders featuring the domestic violence and coercive control storyline featuring it's characters Trevor and Little Mo Morgan...........in 2001 and one of most controversial episodes on Christmas Day when Trevor pours gravy all over his wife and forces her to eat her Christmas dinner on the floor.............she finally plucked up the courage to leave her abusive husband later on in the year after learning about his lies and betrayal when Zoey Slater went missing and needed their help. Eastenders raised awareness and the seriousness of people trapped in domestic violence relationships. If you are in a violent relationship or it has some serious red flags get out while you can and don't be afraid of asking for help and advice. Charities like Women's Aid and Mankind are there to help you, if you are in serious danger call the police and they will provide with you advice and guidance.
A still from 2001 one of the most controversial and heartbreaking storylines concerning euthanasia, Her oldest friend Ethel also comes to stay with the Fowlers for a time, having become terminally ill. Ethel begs Dot to help her end her life. Torn between her Christian beliefs against euthanasia and her best friend's wishes, she helps Ethel to die.
Away from the doom and gloom that Eastenders offered.......the show had some lighthearted moments such as Frank turning up on Pat's doorstep wearing a bow tie
Last but not least the show featured high profile whodunits such as Who shot Phil ? Who killed Archie ? Who killed Lucy Beale ?
As of 2025 Gillian Taylforth, Letitia Dean and Adam Woodyatt are the original cast members still left in the show and respective their characters Kathy Beale Sharon Mitchell and Ian Beale.
C1: Champion Christine Smith (4 wins, 376 points.)
C2: Challenger Martin Wold.
DC: Susie Dent and Colin Jackson.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: T E N R A L S I N
R02: L T G O E U D G P
R03: 25, 3, 10, 5, 7, 1, . Target: 881.
TTT: MARSBELT - "Were they Rickie's way of seeing the light at St Mary's?"
R04: M N T I A I C R G
R05: L N A E K B I W T
R06: 75, 25, 3, 9, 9, 6, . Target: 895.
R07: D T O U S N I F A
R08: T S H E A E M S D
R09: 50, 1, 3, 7, 3, 5, . Target: 243.
TTT: EELTRACT - "Melt the cheese, but try not to "Bern" it."
R10: Y R M A U G E U S
R11: P D A E S H A N S
R12: N R Q O A E W C T
R13: R S I O N R A M I
R14: 1, 9, 2, 5, 3, 10. Target: 425.
R15: M A C R O D U E L (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Enjoy the show.
Round 1: T E N R A L S I N
Christine: ENTRAILS (8)
Martin: RETAILS (7)
DC: INTERNALS (18)
Score: 8–0 (max 18)
Round 2: L T G O E U D G P
Christine: PLUGGED (7)
Martin: PLUGGED (7)
DC: TOGGLED (7)
Score: 15–7 (max 25)
Round 3: 25, 3, 10, 5, 7, 1. Target: 881.
C1: -
C2: 881. Mistake in working.
RR: 881. (10 × 3 + 5) × 25 + 7 − 1 (10)
Score: 15–7 (max 35)
Teatime teaser: MARSBELT -> LAMBERTS
Round 4: M N T I A I C R G
Christine: TRACING (7)
Martin: CARTING (7)
DC: MIGRANT (7)
OT: GRANITIC (8)
Score: 22–14 (max 43)
Round 5: L N A E K B I W T
Christine: BLANKET (7)
Martin: BLANKET (7)
DC: BEATNIK (7) TWINKLE (7)
OT: BLANKIE (7) WEBLINK (7)
Score: 29–21 (max 50)
Round 6: 75, 25, 3, 9, 9, 6. Target: 895.
C1: 897.
C2: 894. (75 + 25) × 9 − 6 (7)
RR: 895. (75 + 25) × 9 − (9 + 6) ÷ 3 (10)
Score: 29–28 (max 60)
Round 7: D T O U S N I F A
Christine: ASTOUND (7)
Martin: STUDIO (6)
DC: FUSTIAN (7)
OT: FANTODS (7) STIFADO (7)
Score: 36–28 (max 67)
Round 8: T S H E A E M S D
Christine: STEAMED (7)
Martin: HEADSETS (8)
DC: SMASHED (7)
Score: 36–36 (max 75)
Round 9: 50, 1, 3, 7, 3, 5. Target: 243.
C1: 243. 50 × 5 − 7 (10)
C2: 243. 50 × 5 − 7 (10)
Score: 46–46 (max 85)
Teatime teaser: EELTRACT -> RACLETTE
Round 10: Y R M A U G E U S
Christine: SUGARY (6)
Martin: GRAMS (5)
DC: GAMERS (6) AUGURY (6)
OT: MAGUEYS (7)
Score: 52–46 (max 92)
Round 11: P D A E S H A N S
Christine: SHAPED (6)
Martin: SHAPED (6)
DC: PASHA (5) PHASED (6) SHAPED (6)
OT: DAPHNES (7) PASSADE (7) SANDESH (7)
Score: 58–52 (max 99)
Round 12: N R Q O A E W C T
Christine: ENACTOR (7)
Martin: carted
DC: CARTON (6)
Score: 65–52 (max 106)
Round 13: R S I O N R A M I
Christine: IRONS (5)
Martin: MOANS (5)
DC: MARRONS (7) MANOIRS (7)
Score: 70–57 (max 113)
Round 14: 1, 9, 2, 5, 3, 10. Target: 425.
C1: -
C2: 423. Mistake in working.
RR: 425. (9 × 10 − 2 − 3) × 5 (10)
Score: 70–57 (max 123)
Round 15: M A C R O D U E L
No one buzzes. The answer was CLAMOURED.
Final Score: 70–57 (max 133)
On this day in 1985 BBC launches the British soap opera Eastenders. The show's first episode attratcted 17 million viewers and continued to attract high viewing figures from then on. Here is a still featuring the original cast from Eastenders.
A couple of notable storylines on the show included Dirty Den Watts impregnating 16 year old Michelle Fowler which was the first teenage pregnancy on the show and highly controversial for a soap opera.
Arthur Fowler suffering a nervous breakdown on Christmas Day after he stole the Christmas Club Money to finance his daughters wedding.
Another notable episode that was on Christmas day 1986 when Den Watts served divorce papers on his long suffering wife Angie after discovering her lies and betrayal. A record 30 million viewers tuned in, it remains as the highest viewed episode for a soap opera in British History.
"Happy Christmas Ange ! " After Dirty Den serves Angie with divorce papers
Eastenders is no stranger to controversy featuring hard hitting storylines from the 1980s such as teenage pregnancy, cot death, homophobia and blackmail, murder, racism and unemployment. In 1987 the show featured the first same sex kiss featuring the characters Colin and Barry.
In the 1990s more hard hitting storylines such as Diane Butcher's homeless storyline Mark Fowler revealing to his parents that he is HIV positive,another homeless storyline in 1993 featuring it's young characters Mandy and Aidan who then spiral into an addiction to drugs and alcohol.One of it's characters Aidan attempting suicide. The show was made aware of stigma and ignorance of Peggy Mitchell when she discovered that Mark Fowler was HIV positive, Mark later forgave Peggy after learning she had breast cancer the show also dealt with mixed race relationships. Mental health was at the forefront when one of it's characters Joe Wicks developed Schizophrenia. In the 2000s the show delivered more hard hitting storylines such as Euthanasia featuring Dot and Ethel, domestic violence and coercive control featuring the characters Little Mo and Trevor, other issues such as prostitution, adult illiteracy, child abuse and drug addiction were at the forefront of the show.
A still from Eastenders featuring the domestic violence and coercive control storyline featuring it's characters Trevor and Little Mo Morgan...........in 2001 and one of most controversial episodes on Christmas Day when Trevor pours gravy all over his wife and forces her to eat her Christmas dinner on the floor.............she finally plucked up the courage to leave her abusive husband later on in the year after learning about his lies and betrayal when Zoey Slater went missing and needed their help. Eastenders raised awareness and the seriousness of people trapped in domestic violence relationships. If you are in a violent relationship or it has some serious red flags get out while you can and don't be afraid of asking for help and advice. Charities like Women's Aid and Mankind are there to help you, if you are in serious danger call the police and they will provide with you advice and guidance.
A still from 2001 one of the most controversial and heartbreaking storylines concerning euthanasia, Her oldest friend Ethel also comes to stay with the Fowlers for a time, having become terminally ill. Ethel begs Dot to help her end her life. Torn between her Christian beliefs against euthanasia and her best friend's wishes, she helps Ethel to die.
Away from the doom and gloom that Eastenders offered.......the show had some lighthearted moments such as Frank turning up on Pat's doorstep wearing a bow tie
Last but not least the show featured high profile whodunits such as Who shot Phil ? Who killed Archie ? Who killed Lucy Beale ?
As of 2025 Gillian Taylforth, Letitia Dean and Adam Woodyatt are the original cast members still left in the show and respective their characters Kathy Beale Sharon Mitchell and Ian Beale.
C1: Champion Christine Smith (4 wins, 376 points.)
C2: Challenger Martin Wold.
DC: Susie Dent and Colin Jackson.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: T E N R A L S I N
R02: L T G O E U D G P
R03: 25, 3, 10, 5, 7, 1, . Target: 881.
TTT: MARSBELT - "Were they Rickie's way of seeing the light at St Mary's?"
R04: M N T I A I C R G
R05: L N A E K B I W T
R06: 75, 25, 3, 9, 9, 6, . Target: 895.
R07: D T O U S N I F A
R08: T S H E A E M S D
R09: 50, 1, 3, 7, 3, 5, . Target: 243.
TTT: EELTRACT - "Melt the cheese, but try not to "Bern" it."
R10: Y R M A U G E U S
R11: P D A E S H A N S
R12: N R Q O A E W C T
R13: R S I O N R A M I
R14: 1, 9, 2, 5, 3, 10. Target: 425.
R15: M A C R O D U E L (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
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SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
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Enjoy the show.
Round 1: T E N R A L S I N
Christine: ENTRAILS (8)
Martin: RETAILS (7)
DC: INTERNALS (18)
Score: 8–0 (max 18)
Round 2: L T G O E U D G P
Christine: PLUGGED (7)
Martin: PLUGGED (7)
DC: TOGGLED (7)
Score: 15–7 (max 25)
Round 3: 25, 3, 10, 5, 7, 1. Target: 881.
C1: -
C2: 881. Mistake in working.
RR: 881. (10 × 3 + 5) × 25 + 7 − 1 (10)
Score: 15–7 (max 35)
Teatime teaser: MARSBELT -> LAMBERTS
Round 4: M N T I A I C R G
Christine: TRACING (7)
Martin: CARTING (7)
DC: MIGRANT (7)
OT: GRANITIC (8)
Score: 22–14 (max 43)
Round 5: L N A E K B I W T
Christine: BLANKET (7)
Martin: BLANKET (7)
DC: BEATNIK (7) TWINKLE (7)
OT: BLANKIE (7) WEBLINK (7)
Score: 29–21 (max 50)
Round 6: 75, 25, 3, 9, 9, 6. Target: 895.
C1: 897.
C2: 894. (75 + 25) × 9 − 6 (7)
RR: 895. (75 + 25) × 9 − (9 + 6) ÷ 3 (10)
Score: 29–28 (max 60)
Round 7: D T O U S N I F A
Christine: ASTOUND (7)
Martin: STUDIO (6)
DC: FUSTIAN (7)
OT: FANTODS (7) STIFADO (7)
Score: 36–28 (max 67)
Round 8: T S H E A E M S D
Christine: STEAMED (7)
Martin: HEADSETS (8)
DC: SMASHED (7)
Score: 36–36 (max 75)
Round 9: 50, 1, 3, 7, 3, 5. Target: 243.
C1: 243. 50 × 5 − 7 (10)
C2: 243. 50 × 5 − 7 (10)
Score: 46–46 (max 85)
Teatime teaser: EELTRACT -> RACLETTE
Round 10: Y R M A U G E U S
Christine: SUGARY (6)
Martin: GRAMS (5)
DC: GAMERS (6) AUGURY (6)
OT: MAGUEYS (7)
Score: 52–46 (max 92)
Round 11: P D A E S H A N S
Christine: SHAPED (6)
Martin: SHAPED (6)
DC: PASHA (5) PHASED (6) SHAPED (6)
OT: DAPHNES (7) PASSADE (7) SANDESH (7)
Score: 58–52 (max 99)
Round 12: N R Q O A E W C T
Christine: ENACTOR (7)
Martin: carted
DC: CARTON (6)
Score: 65–52 (max 106)
Round 13: R S I O N R A M I
Christine: IRONS (5)
Martin: MOANS (5)
DC: MARRONS (7) MANOIRS (7)
Score: 70–57 (max 113)
Round 14: 1, 9, 2, 5, 3, 10. Target: 425.
C1: -
C2: 423. Mistake in working.
RR: 425. (9 × 10 − 2 − 3) × 5 (10)
Score: 70–57 (max 123)
Round 15: M A C R O D U E L
No one buzzes. The answer was CLAMOURED.
Final Score: 70–57 (max 133)