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The Brannings pull out all the stops for a wonderful Christmas but, as deep family secrets get exposed, their world is turned upside down.

Derek tries to dominate Max and Tanya’s Christmas dinner, making loaded comments about Lauren. Joey arrives, a surprise for Lauren from Max. When Joey explains to Lauren he felt he didn’t have a choice, Lauren suggests he could have chosen her.

Kat drops Tommy off at the Vic for Christmas Day. Roxy, Amy, Michael and Scarlett have joined Alfie, Mo and Jean. Having promised Tommy snow, Alfie sends everyone outside then sprinkles fake snow from the Vic roof as Kat watches from a distance. Roxy admits to Alfie she’s in love with him. Kat arrives. Alfie tells Kat it’s too late, he’s moved on. Kat leaves, devastated.

Back at Max and Tanya’s, Derek threatens Max, but Jack backs him up; one call to the police and Derek would be back inside. Dressed as ‘Santa’, Max gives a wedding dress to Tanya. Registrar Fred arrives and Max reveals they’re getting married today; Derek shouldn’t feel he has to stay. Derek’s received several texts and finally sends someone Max’s. Tanya opens the door to reveal Kirsty Branning - Max’s wife. Kirsty and Max head upstairs, leaving a shell-shocked Tanya. Kirsty’s angry with Max for trying to pay her off. It becomes clear that Derek hasn’t passed on Max’s latest money to Kirsty or told Max that Kirsty was pregnant, eventually leading her to have an abortion. Kirsty shows Tanya her unsigned divorce papers and her wedding ring. Max insists he loves Tanya; he only married Kirsty because Tanya lied about her illness. Tanya’s appalled when she realises Derek’s known all along.

Kat slaps Derek after discovering he played Alfie the wrong voicemail message and has now deleted them all. Derek tries to force Kat to leave with him and Max and Jack step in. Max confronts Derek about his lies, but Derek rounds on Max and then turns on Jack. Joey and Jack manhandle Derek out of the house. As the others turn their backs Derek clutches his chest in agony and collapses to the ground, dead.

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1 hour

Audio described

Music Played

  • Wham!

    Last Christmas

  • Bing Crosby

    White Christmas

  • Dean Martin

    Winter Wonderland

  • Frank Sinatra

    The First Noel

  • Bing Crosby

    Sleigh Ride

  • The Supremes

    Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

  • Bobby Helms

    Jingle Bell Rock

  • Darlene Love

    All Alone On Christmas

  • Wizzard

    I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

  • Rod Stewart

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

  • Rod Stewart

    White Christmas

  • Rod Stewart

    Silent Night

  • Dean Martin

    Let It Snow

  • Elvis Presley

    Blue Christmas

  • Glee Cast

    The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year

  • Sinéad O’Connor

    Silent Night

  • Dickie Valentine

    Christmas Alphabet

  • Eartha Kitt

    Santa Baby

  • Judy Garland

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

  • Mario Lanza

    Oh Christmas Tree

  • Doris Day

    I'll Be ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ For Christmas

  • Rosemary Clooney

    Christmas

  • Brenda Lee

    Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

  • Elton John

    Step Into Christmas

  • Al Martino

    Little Drummer Boy

  • John Lennon and Yoko Ono

    Happy Christmas

  • Band Aid

    Do They Know It's Christmas?

Credits

Role Contributor
Derek Branning Jamie Foreman
Max Branning Jake Wood
Tanya Cross Jo Joyner
Jack Branning Scott Maslen
Kat Moon Jessie Wallace
Alfie Moon Shane Richie
Roxy Mitchell Rita Simons
Joey Branning David Witts
Lauren Branning Jacqueline Jossa
Abi Branning Lorna Fitzgerald
Cora Cross Ann Mitchell
Sharon Rickman Letitia Dean
Dennis Rickman Harry Hickles
Alice Branning Jasmyn Banks
Jean Slater Gillian Wright
Mo Harris Laila Morse
Michael Moon Steve John Shepherd
Jay Mitchell Jamie Borthwick
Bianca Butcher Patsy Palmer
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Whitney Dean Shona McGarty
Tyler Moon Tony Discipline
Liam Butcher James Forde
Tiffany Butcher Maisie Smith
Morgan Butcher Devon Higgs
Registrar Michael O'Connor
Executive Producer Lorraine Newman
Director Jennie Darnell
Writer Simon Ashdown

Broadcasts

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