THE big news for EastEnders this year is not finding out who killed ‘orrible Archie, but the soap celebrating its 25th anniversary next month with a live episode on BBC1.

The clues suggest the producers will tie the two together as, in addition to “all the high drama and excitement viewers expect”, the episode will feature the conclusion to a big storyline that will have everyone asking whodunit?

A live episode is a favourite way of marking an anniversary, with both Coronation Street, marking 40 years in 2000, and The Bill, for its 20th anniversary in 2003, doing it in the past.

Who and what will feature in the 25th live episode is under wraps, but there’s speculation that a whole host of familiar faces – such as Sharon Watts, Kat and Alfie Moon and Grant Mitchell – might return for the celebrations.

What we do know is that several former Albert Square residents are already on their way back as Bianca and Ricky prepare to get married again.

She proposed at Christmas and a February wedding is on the cards, which means a Jackson family reunion. This won’t necessarily be a happy occasion – Bianca and her mum, Carol, aren’t speaking, a result of Bianca bedding her mum’s boyfriend.

Lindsey Coulson will be back as Carol, along with Natalie Cassidy, fresh from Strictly Come Dancing, as Sonia and Dean Gaffney as Robbie.

The rumour is that Coulson might hang around after the wedding, while the other two are making only temporary returns.

There’ll be another EastEnders wedding when Stacey and Bradley tie the knot for the second time. Don’t Walford residents ever learn? Don’t marry your ex, it’ll end in tears – again.

Coronation Street has seen the return of Gail’s son Nick Tilsley (played by Footballers’ Wives actor Ben Price). Now he has his sights set firmly on taking over Underworld knicker factory. And he wouldn’t mind getting his hands on owner Carla Connor either.

He used to run Underworld in Mike Baldwin’s day and has some money to invest, believing the business has never fulfilled its potential.

One couple who might not make their first wedding anniversary are Steve and Becky Mcdonald. They’re at loggerheads over starting a family. He’s broody and wants a child, she’s not and doesn’t.

Another marriage that no one is expecting to last long is that of Gail and Joe.

This is her fourth marriage. One of her past husbands was a serial killer and Joe is no good with money, piling up debts all over Weatherfield.

The Rovers Return pub goes on forever in the Street, but other businesses have a less successful history, so don’t put any money on Peter Barlow and Leanne Battersby’s new bar doing well.

Never mind that he’s a former alcoholic likely to drink all the profits if he relapses.

Signing up a familiar Street face Ciaran McCarthy (played by Boyzone singer Keith Duffy) as chef has the potential for fireworks.

He has an eye for a pretty face so no woman is safe.

Marital woes in ITV1’s Emmerdale for Mark Wylde. What do you expect when you have two wives. He forgot to divorce Faye before marrying Natasha. Now both women live in the village, with Mark dashing between the two. Well, it keeps him fit.

One unfortunate consequence of his two-timing is that Ryan, his son by Faye, is getting romantic with Maisie, his daughter by Natasha. They don’t know they’re related. There’s a word for their relationship – and it’s not romantic.

We can also expect the Reverend Ashley to suffer at the hands of psycho Sally after he rejects her advances. She starts a rumour she’s bedded the vicar, a prelude I suspect to boiling bunnies on the Aga.

■ The live 25th anniversary edition of EastEnders is on BBC1 on Feburary 19.