'EastEnders' will give nod to Euros final in first episode after England loss

England's historic Euros final is the talk of the nation - and that includes in Albert Square, where EastEnders will mark the event by mentioning it in the first episode to broadcast after the match.

Unfortunately, it was bad news for England in their final against Italy on Sunday night, so Monday's episode is expected to include a more sombre scene than viewers would have liked had things gone Gareth Southgate and co's way.

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But the BBC soap couldn't let England's first men's major tournament final in 55 years pass without capturing some of the mood of the country as they decided to insert an extra scene mentioning the score.

The EastEnders cast filmed the topical scene at short notice, as it will first air in Monday's episode on BBC One at 8.05pm and then will later be dropped into the iPlayer episode that went live this morning.

Although the soap usually films a good number of weeks in advance of airing, bosses made an exception to write and film the scene on the same day that it will air in order to reflect real-life scenes in communities up and down the country as they come to terms with England's defeat by Italy.

It will feature Albert Square residents Billy (Perry Fenwick), Kim (Tameka Empson) and Bobby (Clay Milner Russell), although we don't yet know exactly what the story will involve.

EastEnders executive producer Jon Sen said: “Although it’s only a small scene, with England’s performance in the Euro’s capturing the hearts of the nation over the past month it’s only right that the residents of Walford would be talking about last night’s historical match.”

Of course, it won't be the only time that EastEnders has made reference to the football, as last week saw former Spurs and West Ham manager Harry Redknapp stop into the Vic for a pint.

Real-life West Ham fan Danny Dyer, whose landlord alter ego Mick Carter shares the same allegiances, had a chat with Redknapp about his days managing the rival clubs and promised there would always be a drink with his name on it behind the bar in Walford.

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Love Island also made a historic break with tradition in honour of England's achievement by allowing the contestants to watch the final on Sunday night.

Those taking part in the ITV2 dating show usually have to agree to no news from outside the villa and no TV for the duration of their stay, but show bosses made an exception for the Euros final.

Watch: Harry Redknapp makes cameo in EastEnders