EastEnders and Holby City both CANCELLED tonight - here’s why

(Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders and Holby City are both not on as normal this evening

EastEnders and Holby City have been cancelled this evening in a huge blow to soap fans.

The BBC1 hits are regulars on Tuesday nights, with fans eager to know the latest gossip from Albert Square and Holby. However, it’s that old soap enemy causing the trouble once again this evening as the channel is taken over by football.

Yep, there’s no EastEnders or Holby City on this evening - Tuesday February 9 - because the Beeb is screening the FA Cup 5th Round clash between Manchester United and West Ham.

Match of the Day will begin at 7pm for a 7.30pm kick off, with the programme running until 9.30pm. The Beeb perhaps could have put EastEnders or Holby City on at 7pm and then gone over to the football for kick off time, but the broadcaster has decided to keep both soaps off screen tonight.

However, the good news for soap fans is that they will have to wait just 24 hours for new episodes of both EastEnders and Holby City to air.

Shirley and Mick hear that Tina's been spotted in EastEnders — Shirley and Mick hear that Tina's been spotted in Wednesday's episode.

In a rare Wednesday night showing, EastEnders will be screened at 8.00pm, while Holby will air at 8.20pm. Both soaps are running for less time than usual by historic standards, with the EastEnders episode standing at only 20 minutes, while Holby is only 40 minutes long. Both soaps have been running shorter episodes than normal due to filming issues caused by the pandemic.

Wednesday’s Albert Square action will see Mick Carter and Shirley making a discovery about Tina. Plus Kathy Beale will be seen vowing revenge on Sharon Watts, while Max Branning has a mysterious meeting.

Holby Sacha calls police — Sacha calls the police... but then Jodie makes a revelation that changes everything!

Meanwhile, over on Holby Jodie makes a surprise return and it turns out she has got big news for ex Sacha. We wonder what that could be?

EastEnders and Holby City both continue on BBC1 (see our TV Guide for full listings).

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough.

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!