The curse of soap anniversary episodes - EastEnders deaths to Hollyoaks triple murder

EastEnders are about to air a shock demise during the big 35th anniversary celebrations this February, as a character falls into the River Thames.

A boat stunt sets the scene for disaster and death next month, as the BBC soap celebrates 35 years on air.

But EastEnders isn't the only soap to go big during the celebratory episodes, with soaps often using the milestones to air shocking and gripping scenes.

From deaths, big reveals and even live episodes, soaps including Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks go all out to impress viewers.

Ahead of the latest drama, and with Corrie set to hit 60 years on telly this year, and Hollyoaks reaching it's 25th, here's a look back at some of the deadliest anniversary episodes ever...

EastEnders is lining up a boat stunt (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes) Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles Coronation Street's 50th - The Tram Crash Coronation Street aired a tram crash in 2010 (Image: ITV)

Back in December 2010, tragedy struck on the Street when a tram crashed and fell from the bridge and tracks above what is now The Bistro.

Residents ran for their lives, as the tram carriage skidded up the Cobbles and left several injured.

Ashley Peacock tragically died as he sacrificed himself, to help get Peter Barlow and the others to safety after the restaurant collapse.

Molly Dobbs also died as she shielded baby son Jack, having run into the corner shop for safety only for it to collapse on top of her.

EastEnders' 20th - Dirty Den's Murder Zoe, Sam and Chrissie teamed up against Dirty Den (Image: BBC)

In 2005, EastEnders aired two deaths to mark 20 years of the soap including the murder of original villain Dirty Den Watts.

The character was killed after a showdown with wife Chrissie Watts, Sam Mitchell and Zoe Slater - soon dubbed the Witches of Walford.

Sam went to prison after Zoe believed she'd killed him, unaware Chrissie had secretly killed him after realising he was still alive.

Also killed off was gangster Andy Hunter, who got on the wrong side of the latest villain in the Square Johnny Allen.

He was chucked over a flyover in brutal scenes.

Emmerdale's 40th - Live Episode and Carl King's Murder Carl King was murdered on Emmerdale by Cameron Murray (Image: PA)

For Emmerdale's 40 year celebrations, they aired a massive live episode.

It featured two births - Debbie Dingle and Gennie Walker - and also two weddings - Chas Dingle and Dan Spencer, and Katie Sugden and Declan Macey.

But that wasn't all, as villain Carl King was killed off live on air in a major whodunnit storyline.

Hollyoaks' 20th - The Gloved Hand Killer Reveal The Glove Hand Killer struck again in Hollyoaks before being unveiled (Image: Lime Pictures)

Hollyoaks took the opportunity during their 20th anniversary episode in 2015, to finally unveil the identity of The Gloved Hand Killer.

Nurse Lindsey Butterfield was revealed to be killer of victims including Rick Spencer, Phoebe McQueen and Dylan Royle.

But she didn't stop there, and the special anniversary week saw her claim not one but three new victims, including boss Charles S'Avage, husband Freddie Roscoe and Ashley Davidson - Freddie turned out to be alive.

EastEnders' 25th - Bradley Branning's Death Bradley Branning fell off The Queen Vic roof and died (Image: BBC)

EastEnders love an anniversary episode death, and in 2010 they did it again.

They went one bigger than Dirty Den's demise though, airing a live episode with an on-air death.

Bradley Branning fell off The Queen Vic roof and died, running away from police who were about to arrest him for Archie Mitchell's murder.

But in another twist just moments later, the true killer was finally unveiled to be his wife Stacey Branning.

Coronation Street's 55th - Live Episode Coronation Street aired the live murder of Callum Logan

Another soap live episode was aired in 2015, as Corrie celebrated their 55th anniversary three months early.

Callum Logan's reign of terror came to an end as he was murdered by ex Kylie Platt, before being buried under the house.

He had been trying to assault current flame Sarah Platt, leading to Kylie attacking him and unintentionally murdering him.

EastEnders' 30th - Who Killed Lucy Beale? Reveal Lucy Beale was murdered by brother Bobby (Image: BBC)

EastEnders followed up the killer reveal regarding Archie Mitchell in 2010 with another murder secret five years later.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary, the BBC soap finally told viewers who had killed Lucy Beale in a live double episode.

It initially teased Jane Beale had killed her stepdaughter, before it emerged she was covering for her young stepson Bobby Beale, Lucy's sibling, with a flashback confirming he accidentally killed her during a row.