EastEnders has confirmed a surprise appearance during the huge New Year flashforward episode. The special event, which centres around Max Branning in 2027, will provide a glimpse at the next 12 months of drama on the Square.

While viewers will be expecting chaos, secrets and conflict – synonymous with the Brannings – the episode will also feature an unusual cameo from radio presenter Scott Mills.

The surprising news was revealed by Mills during his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show earlier today.

Appearing on the show, guests Adam Woodyatt (who plays Ian Beale) and Michelle Collins (who plays Cindy Beale) teased what’s to come for their characters over the festive period, with the Beales and the Brannings set to share a joint Christmas.

“I think there’s gonna be everything. Look, it’s Walford at Christmas, something’s gonna go wrong somewhere,” said Woodyatt. Collins added: “Cindy’s been away but Cindy comes back. That’s all I can say. And it becomes a little bit explosive.”

The actors also addressed the 2027 flashforward episode, which airs on New Year’s Day and will slowly be put into context as 2026 unfolds. Mills shared that he won’t be visible on screen but will be making a cameo for the special event.

“Also, you won’t see me, but I am part of the New Year EastEnders,” he told the soap stars, without revealing any further information.

The revelation appeared to come as a surprise for Collins and Woodyatt, which is feasible given the way the flashforward has been filmed.

Speaking about the “confusing” process, Woodyatt shared that they were only given select pieces of information about their scenes in order to preserve the drama and mystery over the coming year.

“We were all out on a lot of filming in the studio, and you’re literally thinking, right, why am I looking at this person? ‘Can’t tell you.’ Why am I saying this to this person? ‘Can’t tell you,'” he shared. “We’re gonna go on a journey, like the viewers, over the next year and find out how we’ve ended up at this point.”

Collins added: “That is a very weird experience, like Adam said. Doing a scene, you don’t know why you’re doing it. But I think it’s gonna be amazing.”