EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS

SERIES 16
Number in parentheses at end of program description is BBCWA library tape number.

#825 - Natalie confronts Bianca as Ricky is wheeled into casualty. Phil picks Grant up from the police station and gives him a piece of his mind, but are both reconciled in the end. (1780)

#826 - Grant resigns from the gym. Rosa suggests that Teresa invite Matt round for supper. Mick decides to become a music teacher. A news report at the DiMarco's tells the discovery of Saskia's body. (1781)

#827 - Annie has to go to New Zealand to help George who has been arrested there. Steve sees a newspaper headline about a body found in Epping Forest, he tells Matthew to stay calm and be prepared for the police. Carol moves in, but Bianca won't help, as she doesn't agree with Carol having a boyfriend. (1782)

#828 - Steve is worried as the police search steps up and searches for Matthew, Lenny tells him Matthew stayed out all night. Rosa is worried when she can't find the week's takings. Gianni is angry that Teresa isn't up and soon realizes she isn't there. Panic ensues when Steve arrives at the DiMarco's looking for Matt. (1783)

#829 - Saskia calls Steve & tells him that the police have identified Saskia's body. Steve goes with Saskia to the police station, where she identifies a bracelet found on Saskia's body. Steve feels uncomfortable. Teresa calls the Di Marcos house and talks to Nicky. Nicky hopes that her & Gianni will sort things out. Carol intros her new man Dan to Ricky & Robbie. Bianca questions Ricky about Dan. (1784)

#830 - Terry asks Dr Fonsea for advice about the menopause. Sarah suggests Bianca goes to college. Pat and Roy have their first counselling session, which seems to get off to a fairly smooth start until Roy explains what happened on the day of his wife's death. Melanie drags Ian to the gym where he injures his back. Its Karaoke night in the Vic and after Frank does a number Terry sings a song dedicated to Irene, who leaves the pub embarrassed. (1785)

#831 - The police asking questions re Saskia causes tension. Lilly has a disaster in the launderette. Dot advertises her neighbourhood watch & Steve is escorted from the pub & driven away by police. (1786)

#832 - Steve is taken for questioning over Saskia's disappearance ; Carol intros Dan to friends, Nat thinks he looks familiar... After Steve has been released from questioning by police about Saskia, discovers that Matthew + Teresa are in Nottingham, he + Gianni set off to find them;Natalie recognises Dan, but is too late to tell Bianca before heads off to Brighton w Robbie + Sonia to meet him. (1787)

#833 - Bianca has a terrible shock when she meets her mother's new boyfriend. The net tightens on Matthew and Teresa as Steve and Gianni draw ever closer Matthew and Teresa are staying with Paul, Teresa's friend in Nottingham. Teresa tells Paul she is pregnant. Matthew and Teresa leave Paul's and book into a hotel. Carol takes her children to Southend to become acquainted with her new boyfriend, Dan. (1788)

#834 - Bianca is horrified at Carol's new romance. Sonia tries to thwart her mum's new romance. Ricky thinks he's upset Bianca but she's torn over revealing Dan's past. Robbie meets Becky & is surprised by her appearance - they go to a pub full of bikers, a fight breaks out & they leave. She takes him to an arcade & shows him time of his life! Theresa has no intention of leaving country - she wakes to find Matthew gone and knocks flight tickets to floor - sets off to find him. Gianni & Steve return to hotel. (1789)

#835 - Time is running out for Matthew and Teresa as they desperately try to escape from Steve. Steve phones the police and reports Matthew as being responsible for Saskia's death & spend night in bar - Gianni makes move on attractive woman. He & Steve don't see Matthew as he leaves hotel. Gianni gets drunk & Steve discovers Theresa in lift. (1790)

#836 - As the police close in around the Square, Matthew relies on the CCTV video to clear his name. Matthew and Teresa go to No. 55 to get the CCTV tape back. Beppe makes Matthew tell him everything that happened on the night Saskia died at the Club. Steve tells DI Steele that Matthew killed Saskia. The Police arrest both Teresa and Matthew. (1791)

#837 - Matthew devastated by news that vital tape has been wiped; tries to convince DI Steele how scared he was; Terry reports seeing Steve & Matthew loading large bundle into car on Valentine's night; Sarah upset about Matt's arrest; Steve charged with murder; Matthew expects to be released now; Teresa released by police. (1792)

#838 - Dan & Carol move their things into the house & Bianca gets moody. When she & Ricky go over to the house with champagne, Dan asks her if they can be friends. Carol overhears them talking but Dan covers up what they were talking about. Bianca wants to leave but when she sees Carol & Dan getting romantic, she kisses Ricky much to his surprise. Lenny is unsure if he wants to visit Matt in prison & he admits to Teresa that he told the police he was acting weird. (1793)

#839 - How will Teresa cope with her first visit to Matthew in prison? Can Irene persuade Rosa to enter a local competition? (1794)

#840 - Biana & Ricky are on the move after Grant's birthday party turn sour. Irene's attempt to support Terry's singing ends in humiliation. Sarah visits Matthew in jail & is shocked to hear that he wants everyone to stay away from him. Meanwhile, Gianni threatens Steve to leave Theresa alone. (1795)

#841 - Bianca & Ricky flee after Grant's birthday turns sour, Pat tries to reconcile Roy & Barry, & Irene attempts to support Terry's bid for fame. (1796)

#842 - Teresa receives some painful news from Matthew and Natalie and Ricky go shopping and buy a surprise present for Bianca. Tension between Bianca and Dan grows. Gianni and Lisa go on a double date with Melanie and Ian but sneak out when they get bored. (1797)

#843 - Irene & Rosa row over a room-changing competition, Phil & Grant witness Ricky & Teresa kissing and Bianca tells Dan that she will tell Carol about their past if he refuses. (1798)

#844 - Dan asks Carol an important question. Ricky and Carol plan a big surprise for Bianca which goes horribly wrong. Its Bianca's surprise birthday party, Ricky's taken her out for a meal in a kebab shop, she gets upset, so he takes her home again to her party. Dan proposes to Carol. Bianca's not enjoying her party especially when Carol drops her bombshell about marrying Dan, she loses her cool and tells everyone to leave. Ricky walks out on her when she says she doesn't love him anymore. (1799) * NOTE: RUNNING TIME 38:47

#845 - Bianca is reeling after her kiss with Dan and could it be the end of the road for Barry and Roy. Dot speaks to Irene about Chinese medicine, and acquires "herbal tea" which she brews in the launderette. Pat and Irene get ready for their decorating tasks. (1800)

#846 - Nina's past returns to haunt her. Natalie and Pat have had enough of Barry and Roy's behaviour . The decorating competition continues. Carol receives a divorce petition from Alan. Natalie and Pat arrange to bring Barry and Roy together and end their argument. Dean stalks Nina and at the end of the programme demands £250 from her. (1801)

#847 - Irene wins decorating contest but doesn't think much of prize. Bianca receives rejection letter from a college but Carol tells her keep trying. Dean threatens to reveal Nina's past; she borrows 250 pounds from Peggy & makes drop. Sam visits Peggy & her brothers; Peggy asks her to come back for good. Dot disturbs a burglar outside the doctor's surgery & receives a CAT award. (1802)

#848 - Dot holds a party to celebrate her burglary heroics, & unwittingly gives PC Crowe a cup of herbal tea - he discovers it is cannabis & arrests her! Gianni & Beppe realise they forgot their fathers birthday & take Rosa some flowers to make it up to her. (1803)

#849 - Terry sees pic of Dot being arrested,she's too embarrassed to leave house but Fred persuades her to return to work. Barry gets jealous when Natalie flirts w guy at dating agency, he buys her flowers but wont apologise. Dattani, rep of solicitor is asking qstns, Terry tells him he saw Steve + Matthew load something heavy into car. (1804)

#850 - Dan plots to get Bianca alone. Nina finds a friend. Gianni has a plan to save Guiseppe's, but he still has to persuade Rosa to let go of the past. (1805)

#851 - Gianni tries the lunchtime market for the restaurant; which worries Peggy & Ian. Dan & Bianca continue to meet secretly; Bianca feels under pressure from Ricky. Carol receives a letter re Alan's temporary custody of Billy;she feels more able to fight him with Dan's support. Matthew sends Sarah a prison visiting order. (1806)

#852 - Jamie is aware of Billy's return & grafittis the square in frustration. Sarah visits Matthew in Prison. Carole narrowly misses catching Dan & Bianca in a passionate clinch. (1807)

#853 - Billy is refused money by Grant & Phil & threatens Jamie when he is refused. Natalie & Barry make up after a heart to heart with Pat. Ricky confronts Bianca. (1808)

#854 - Pauline hosts a dinner party but Mel forgets and Ian breaks up with her. Nina agrees to become Beppe's flatmate. Gianni offers Sarah a job at the restaurant. (1809)

#855 - Steve receives a couple of unlikely visitors while Bianca's future is looking promising. (1810)

#855A - Continuation of #855. (1811)

#856 - Dan misses Billy's court hearing; Carol is furious. Beppe tells Grant that he now owns the club. Ian & Mel announce their engagement. Ricky & Bianca argue; they are drifting apart. (1812)

#857 - Barry & Natalie visit her family; he invites Andrea to stay. Terry gets lost on holiday. Bianca becomes upset in her college interview. Dan arrives at her hotel; they kiss passionately. (1813)

#858 - Terry finds he was not as lost as he thought but he & Irene continue to row; Dan shows Bianca around Manchester; Barry meets Natalie's family from hell & sees their true colours. Terry wakes up to Farmer Stuart's shotgun just as Irene's about to report him missing. (1814)

#859 - Bianca & Dan make the most of their last hours together, Terry & Irene are still away, Natalie wants to go home. Dan leaves Bianca at the station telling her he will not leave Carol . (1815)

#860 - As Pat tries to counsel a distressed Bianca, Beppe presents good news to his family. (1816)

#861 - There's a nasty surprise in store for Bianca & an unwelcome reminder of the past for Grant. Pat & Roy's relationship takes an unexpected turn. (1817)

#862 - The Mitchell and Di Marco brothers mark out their territory, and Phil has a plan to make the opening night of E20 one to remember. (1818)

#863 - Its a troublesome opening night at E20.Bianca and Ricky reveal their plan to move to Manchester. Bianca tells Pat that Carol is pregnant. Mark keeps a watchful eye on Melanie. (1819)

#864 - The reality of prison closes in on Steve. Beppe turns the tables on the Mitchells, and Lisa is shocked by Lilly's gossip about Mark. (1820)

#865 - Peggy makes an announcement at Ian & Melanie's engagement party. Barry tries to propose to Natalie but Gianni pushes him in the cake. Carol discovers Dan's torn picture of Bianca. (1821)

Special Part 1 of 2 - Carol discovers the truth about Bianca & Dan. Dan ruins Phil & Lisa's evening & Barry proposes to Natalie. Ian believes Barry is trying to steal the limelight. (1822)

Special Part 2 of 2 - Continuation of Part 1. (1823)

#866 - After Ian & Mel's engagement party Carol & Ricky are in shock re Bianca & Dave; Sarah visits Matt in prison & meets Hutch; Carol considers termination. (1824)

#867 - Ricky starts divorce proceedings against Bianca, Bianca tries fails to talk Carol out of an abortion & Teresa hands out invites for her party. (1825)

#868 - Carol decides to tell Dan the truth, knowing that he will be enraged. Dan threatens Bianca, but will Ricky have the final say. (1826)

#869 - Dan confesses his true feelings about Bianca to Phil. Bianca prepares to leave Albert Square, but both Ricky and Dan still want to win her back. (1827)

#870 - Teresa is upset because she thinks Beppe & Gianni have forgotten her birthday. Grant leaves flowers on the railings outside the Vic - it would have been Tiffany's birthday. (1828)

#871 - Lisa wakes up on Phil's sofa & is late for work. Sam is upset about what happened between Grant & Beppe. Teresa is trying to juggle work on the stall & in the restaurant. (1829)

#872 - Phil's life is in turmoil as past comes back to haunt him; Matt faces danger in prison. Frank is at loggerheads with Grant + Phil; In prison Matt is attacked by Gates, Steve intervenes buts gets the blame for starting fight. Phil invites Lisa for romantic meal, she buys "one-off designer shirt" from Teresa for the date but sees Dot in same shirt. (1830)

#873 - Matthew goes into solitary after being beaten up. Kathy arrives back in the square and who is the mysterious young man looking for the Hills? (1831)

#874 - Love is in the air for Grant & Nina, but Kathy's return puts a strain on Phil's new romance. Phil & Jamie arrive back from their fishing trip. It's Sarah's first day at university. Phil is reunited with Ben. Lisa is anxious about Kathy's arrival back in the square. (1832)

#875 - Pauline apologises to Jeff; Melanie & Jamie have been to the police with their discovery of the jacket. Terry suspects that Troy might be gay. Rosa offers Jackie a job at the restaurant. Dean is begging on the square. Natalie is horrified with the ring that Barry has bought her. (1833)

#876 - Grant and Kathy spend the night together, which they both agree to forget. Nina sees Grant come out of Ian's house where Kathy is, she crumples up the note she had for him. Phil tells Grant he wants to try again with Kathy but Kathy tells Phil that she may be going back to South Africa. (1834)

#877 - Peggy tries match-making Kathy and Phil. Grant gets an unexpected visit. Terry becomes impatient with his guest. (1835)

#878 - Matthew & Steve are in prison; Gianni gets Jackie to do mundane tasks in the restaurant. Mark tells Kathy that Jackie is Steve's sister. Ian & Mel's wedding is the same day as Barry & Nat's. (1836)

#879 - It's the opening week of Matt's trial & tensions are running high. (1837)

#880 - Matt & Steve's trial continues, but the odds are mounting against them. Grant confesses to Phil that there's a problem with the loan arrangement. (1838)

#881 - Jamie & Dr Stewart testify in Steve & Matthew's trial, Melanie & Kathy argue over Ian & Alex, Nicky is unsuccessful at the model agency & Carol has to leave as her gran is ill. (1839)

#882 -Steve & Matthew's trial reaches its shocking conclusion; Teresa gives evidence & Jackie appears as a late witness to give reason Steve didn't go to the police & that he was trying to protect Matthew. Phil & Grant visit the loan sharks to say they're sticking to the original loan agreement. (1840)

#883 - Steve's just been released from prison & Jackie convinces him to face Albert Square. Meanwhile Matthew isn't getting used to prison life. Loan sharks close in on Grant and Phil. (1841) * NOTE: RUNNING TIME 30:06

#884 - There's been an explosion in the arches, & Jamie has a narrow escape. But Phil and Grant realise that loan sharks Milligan & Frater are responsible. (1842)

#885 - Billy is horrified to discover that he has sent Grant & Phil into a deadly situation. Will Sam & Beppe be in time to avert a tragedy. Phil's been contemplating what Kathy said at airport. Decides to go back & face Grant. Grant hits Steve OWEN and then Grant & Phil leave for the job. (1843)

#886 - Phil is dangerously ill in hospital; Jeff is planning new business venture. Robbie and Sonia return from Nan's funeral;Dot helps out in bar;Jackie trys to apologise to Michael. (1844)

#887 - Phil is still in hospital with a punctured lung & tensions errupt when Peggy & Sam have an arguement. Martin & Asif are still chasing Nicky. (1845)

#888 - Billy & Phil feel the pressure from Milligan & Frater & the police, Kim has her first modelling job, Barry & Natalie plan their wedding & Troy makes a pass at Irene. (1846)

#889 - Natalie's worried about the cost of her wedding; Phil's still in hospital & Grant is still missing (but Beppe later sees him departing); Enrico fancies Sam; Brighton trip is on. (1847)

#890 - Phil tells Peggy about Grant sleeping with Kathy. Jeff has his hot date with Pauline & Jackie has an accident at the Arches. (1848)

#891 - Romance forms between Jackie & Gianni, trapped in the collapsed Arches building. Lisa raises the alarm & all gather at the disaster site. Sonia & Enrico have a date & Janine arrives. (1849)

#892 - Steve acts the hero while the Brighton gang head off for their weekend away. Fred attempts to tell Melanie the truth while Melanie is in for a surprise. (1850)

#893 - Down in Brighton, a vulnerable Melanie falls for Steve's charm. Mick is for a shock & an annoying Janine is heading for trouble. (1851)

#894 - Ricky rescues a drunken Janine from the incoming tide. Steve leaves Melanie with a choice after their dalliance. Beppe comes after Sam & finds her with Ricky but it's not what it seems! (1852)

#895 - Phil is back from hospital. Janine surprises Frank by turning up at The Vic. Robbie is stressed. Beppe won't tell Sam about Brighton. Janine runs away after an argument with Frank. (1853)

#896 - Frank is beside himself with worry after Janine's disappearance. She is hiding at Robbie & Sonia's house. Kim is told to lose weight by the casting agency. (1854)

#897 - Frank receives some interesting news about his wayward daughter, while Sam gets short shrift from Beppe. Irene has an eventful evening at the sixties night. (1855)

#898 - Terry is invited on a boys' night out while things are heating up between Irene & Troy. Natalie's upset because she's had a letter for her Dad explaining that he can't pay for her wedding - Pat tries to help by offering to hold it at her house. Beppe tries to apologise to Ricky for hitting him. Jackie offers to help Teresa in her campaign to free Matthew. (1856)

#899 -Irene has to spend the night alone with Troy. Martin takes revenge on Jackie by flooding her flat. Andrea wants to pay for Barry & Natalie's wedding. Phil wanders aimlessly round his flat. (1857)

#900 - Troy & Irene spend the night together. Peggy tries to get hold of Phil, she and Jamie go to see him but he won't talk. (1858)

#901 -Peggy is distraught after falling out with Phil. Dr Fred Fonseca examines Lucy, but he can't find a reason for her symptoms. Troy and Irene continue their affair. (1859)

#902 - Mel returns to Walford to face the music, while Frank has to make a choice between Peggy & Irene. Melanie arrives back from her extended holiday. Steve notices her in the square but she informs him she's decided to stay with Ian. Jeff is concerned that Mel spent some time with her mother, but Mel won't discuss what they talked about. (1860)

#903 - Frank has a nasty shock for Janine. Melanie has a disturbing vision of the future. Dot disrupts Irene & Troy's love nest. (1861)

#904 - Jamie climbs the scaffolding & paint-sprays "Free Matthew Rose" on the bridge. Janine leaves the Vic at 3am drinking & admires the Graffiti. Peggy shows an Estate Agent round the Vic; Kim succeeds with the modeling job at the Agency. Dot is appalled at the graffiti & vows to find the culprit. (1862)

#905 - Mel tries to break off engagement; Natalie's mother Andrea returns to help with the wedding. Dr Harvey tells Ian that Lucy will need more tests. Frank tries to get Phil & Peggy on speaking terms again. Jamie finds Phil drunk. (1863)

#906 - Peggy announces the sale of the Vic. Lisa finds out that Phil has been drinking. Andrea promises not to interfere with Natalie's wedding plans. Mel feels trapped into marrying Ian. (1864)

#907 - Lucy goes into hospital for her biopsy. Peggy & Frank tell Janine that they will buy a flat in Walford when she comes to visit. Jacki and Gianni talk about buying the Vic . (1865)

#908 - UK SKIPPED THIS EPISODE #- IT DOES NOT EXIST

#909 - Phil is drinking heavily again; Troy & Irene get passionate; Melanie's unable to call things off and both Terry & Gianni want to buy the Queen Vic. Phil is drinking heavily & manages to alienate both Jamie & Lisa, who finishes with him. Troy & Irene continue their torrid affair when Troy arranges another night at the flat, turning the room into a love nest. (1866)

#910 - Irene deceives Terry to spend a night with Troy. Phil has a surprise visitor. Melanie considers cancelling her wedding. Natalie's dinner party is not very successful. (1867)

#911 - Natalie tries to rescue Barry from her mother's clutches, Janine gets her hooks into Jamie, Phil gets Dan as a new lodger & Pat spots Irene & Troy kissing passionately. (1868)

#912 - This week - is this the end of the road for Ian & Melanie? A nasty shock for Natalie, as her wedding preparations spiral out of control. (1869)

#913 - Will Irene have the courage to end her dangerous affair with troy? Heartache for the Butchers, as Frank makes a horrific discovery about Janine. (1870)

#914 - Mel is determined to enjoy her last days of freedom. Steve is on hand to help her. Amsterdam deals a bitter blow to Barry as his stag night ends in disaster. (1871)

#915 - Kathy returns to the square, so do the hens and stags. Meanwhile, Barry tries to change Natalie's mind. (1872)

#916 - Sam tries to make peace over Christmas lunch, while Peggy & Frank have their hands full with Janine. (1873)

#917 - Frank and Peggy try to deal with the wayward Janine. And Kathy doesn't notice the warning signs from the Vic. (1874)

#918 - The new owner of the Vic keeps things quiet, while Gianni gives Jackie his own surprise. Irene confesses to Rosa. (1875)

#918A - In this Christmas special, Ian buys the Queen Vic for Mel as a xmas present. (1876)

#918B - Barry is desperate to win back his beloved Natalie. (1877)

#919 - Peggy & Frank put up a fight against Dan's invasion of the Vic, and Pat's suggestion for Ian has disastrous consequences. (1878)

#920 - Ian has a proposal for Barry & Natalie, Lucy's test results come through & Lisa has some home for Ian. (1879)

#921- Plans for the double wedding are heating up & Ian has some explaining to do. Steve returns to the square. (1880) *NOTE: RUNNING TIME 32:30

#921A - Barry loses his & Natalie's wedding rings; Melanie admits to Lisa & then to Ian she slept with Steve & says they should postpone the wedding but he gives her a minute's ultimatum. (1881)

#921B - Mel & Ian, & Barry & Natalie get married. Ian confronts Steve. Ian lies re Lucy's health then confesses. Mel tells Ian she doesn't love him. Square celebrates Millennium. (1882) * NOTE: RUNNING TIME 32:00

#922 - Are Mel & Ian really finished? Steve is apprehensive over Matthew's release. Ricky meets a beautiful stranger, while an unwelcome visitor spells trouble for Beppe. Mel has left Ian after their wedding, because he lied over Lucy's illness. (1883)

#923 - Beppe's past comes back to haunt him. Ian tries to cling to a future with Mel. Jamie confronts Janine. (1884)

#924 - Kathy's not sure about returning to South Africa with Ian in a state; but she decides to go. Jenny & Ricky are attracted. Steve confesses all in the Vic but do they believe him? (1885)

#925 - There is shocking news for Irene & Pat worries about Ian. Pat & Roy get a postcard from Barry & a letter from Wicksy. Lisa is clearing out her things, Mark isn't well. Pat decides not to show Ian Simon's letter when she discovers he is not coping. (1886)

#926 - Tension increases between Lisa & Mark while Steve is apprehensive about Matthew's possible return. Terry & Irene talk about Troy after she hears Terry knows about him. Ian oversleeps again. Jeff & Mel prepare for Lisa's arrival and Jeff tells Mark about Lisa's move. Mark confronts Lisa. Irene fancies a fullter at the bookies w Rosa and wins over 1000 pounds. Steve's car is vandalised. (1887)

#927 - Mark makes a heart felt plea to Lisa, while Bepe has to give Sam some upsetting news. (1888)

#928 - Mark's life hangs by a thread after he collapses at home and Ian sinks to new lows as the seeks revenge on Melanie. (1889)