When is EastEnders on this week? Schedule shake up sees EastEnders air TWICE tonight

EastEnders
(Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders fans get a double helping of their favourite soap on Tuesday night...

EastEnders viewers are in for a treat tonight (Tuesday 16th March) with the soap airing twice in the same evening.

Fans of the show will know that EastEnders is usually on at 7.30pm on a Tuesday, but tonight will see a second episode air straight afterwards at 7.55pm.

Kathy goes to Gavin's funeral in EastEnders

Gavin's funeral gets underway in the first of tonight's two episodes of EastEnders (Picture: BBC)

The reason for the schedule shake up is because Friday will see Comic Relief 2021 on BBC One from 7pm until 10pm.

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There will be two episodes of EastEnders on Tuesday evening, nothing on Wednesday as always, and then the usual Thursday evening episode at 7.35pm.

What happens in Tuesday's double bill?

Tuesday night's double bill will see the fall out of Chelsea's drugs storyline as her suitcase gets searched at the airport.

Will she make it to Ibiza with Caleb's drugs?

Or are there yet more twists and turns to come in this storyline?

Zack Hudson in EastEnders

Who is mystery man Zack Hudson that Kathy and Sharon meet in tonight's double bill? (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

Sharon and Kathy are also faced with Gavin's death and decide to go along to his funeral together.

But while they're there a mysterious man called Zack catches their attention... but who is he? And what is his connection to Gavin?

Peter also finds himself caught in the middle of Ash and Suki's standoff.

When Suki accuses Ash of throwing her career away because of Peter, the new couple hope things will get cleared up at Ash's hearing.

But will things go to plan, and can Ash get her job back?

As well as saying goodbye to her biological dad, Sharon is faced with another huge milestone this week when she packs up her belongings at The Vic.

Sharon packs her belongings up in EastEnders

Sharon packs her belongings in The Vic this week (Picture: BBC)

She might not have been behind the bar in the pub for long, but Kim Fox is determined to give her a farewell party nonetheless... sponsored by her new dating company Foxcatcher, naturally!

This week EastEnders airs Monday 8.05pm, Tuesday 7.35pm and 7.55pm and Thursday at 7.35pm on BBC One. 

EastEnders usually airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One - see our TV Guide for full listings.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.