It’s been a huge year for BBC soap EastEnders, highlighted at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024, where the show picked up seven wins. The soap has been praised for its experimentation in storylines over the past few years, including The Six, a flash-forward to Christmas months in advance.

Another creative experiment happened during the 2024 London Marathon. Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell) and Jamie Borthwick (Jay Mitchell) took part in character and filmed scenes on the marathon day, which were added to the programme at the last minute before broadcast.

Speaking exclusively at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024, both actors reflected on the experience. Barton admitted:

“We were a bit shocked I think, we were a bit nervous. We did it before, five years ago, but not very well. So it was a bit scary, but an honour at the same time.”

Borthwick added:

“Yeah, we can tell the truth now. We was like ‘What?! What do you mean, like, what?!’ Don’t wanna do it. But, anyway, obviously we ended up doing it and we’re really pleased that we did ’cause actually it was a really good day.”

Borthwick also spoke about how the arrivals of Teddy, Harry, and Barney Mitchell have stirred things up in the Mitchell family. He said:

“[It’s] been really good. The boys are great! Any new additional Mitchells are always welcome, aren’t they? I’m sure that there will be plenty of Mitchell drama with them three and the old Mitchells coming up.”