EastEnders will broadcast a live episode with an interactive twist as part of its 40th anniversary.

Viewers will be able to decide the outcome of a love story as it unfolds live on TV.

The show has gone live before, first in 2010 and lastly in 2015, but this is the first time that viewers will have the power to decide the fate of characters in a live episode.

Chris Clenshaw, executive producer, said the 40th anniversary week would be one “full of drama and surprises”.

“In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week,” she said.

“This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines.

“Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever.”