The BBC has delayed the 'EastEnders' early morning iPlayer release on Monday (22.04.24) to include real footage from the London Marathon.
Jamie Borthwick and Emma Barton ran the London Marathon for a special EastEnders storyline crossover
Cast members Emma Barton (Jay) and Jamie Borthwick (Honey) ran the race in real life on Sunday (21.04.24) and it's also part of the storyline for the BBC One soap as they took part in memory of Lola (Danielle Harold), Jay's wife who lost her battle with cancer after a heartbreaking brain tumour battle.
The episode will be available on the streaming platform at the later time of 1pm and on BBC One from 7.30pm.
EastEnders announced on social media: "Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick have just completed the London Marathon for an upcoming storyline that will see their characters, Honey and Jay, take on the event in memory of their beloved Lola.
"As well as running on behalf of their chosen charities, Emma and Jamie run parts in character to film various scenes along the route. These scenes will be edited into the main show this evening and viewers will be able to watch the special scenes tomorrow (Monday 22nd April) from 1300 on BBC iPlayer and at 1930 on BBC One. @londonmarathon #LondonMarathon."
Jamie said of the reason behind their run: "Over the last 18 months, we have seen a storyline where my [Jay's] wife Lola, had developed a brain tumour. We just really tried to make it as real as we could and our lovely boss dropped the idea to us that maybe our characters would run the marathon."
Emma said: "I think it’s a really clever idea that EastEnders have done to show what a lot of the people all over the country are doing. And that’s raising money for their charities or in memory of a loved one. As Honey and Jay are going to be running the London Marathon, we are going to be filmed live on the London Marathon day, which will then go into Monday April 22’s show at 7.30pm. This has never been done before in soap history."
Asked if they were ready for filming during the race, Emma said : "We just have to treat it like any other scene of EastEnders, professionally, we’re gonna get it done and then we can relax for the last half."
Emma ran on behalf of BBC Children in Need, whilst Jamie raised money for Prostate Cancer UK in memory of his relatives.
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