EastEnders confirms new rival for Elaine Peacock

EastEnders Spoilers follow.

EastEnders has confirmed a new rival for Elaine Peacock.

The Queen Vic's co-owner will soon clash with legendary figure Yolande Trueman over his handling of Walford's Christmas choir.

In scenes airing next week, Elaine takes on the task of planning a Christmas party sponsored by the Vic. Soon, her family is stressed by Elaine's very high expectations for the party.

While the Christmas party is being planned at The Vic, Yolande simultaneously begins organising the Christmas choir in advance of its seasonal performance.

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Yolande has trouble recruiting enough members for a full choir, so Elaine steps in and takes over the recruitment drive with the promise of free alcohol.

This drives a wedge between the two women, as Yolande resents Elaine for taking over the leadership of the choir without even consulting her.

Harriet Thorpe, who plays Elaine, has revealed that the Vic's landlady's involvement in the choir was initially purely coincidental.

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“Sonia suggests it to Yolande when the Christmas lights are turned on and Elaine thinks it's a wonderful idea and that she should do it,” she said.

“Given her professional and creative life experience, this is entirely logical. It is an outrage that Sonia would suggest that Yolande should lead the choir because Elaine's great talent for what she believes to be community spirit is being overlooked.”

The friction between Elaine and Yolande could be stressful for viewers, but Thorpe said it was “divine” to film the scenes in which the two clash.

“Elaine and Yolande argue a little bit about who should be 'leader' of the choir,” Thorpe said. “These are two women trying to show their potential and it's very funny. They're both very theatrical and attention-seeking! They're both driven by their egos and in those moments there's no one else.”

The actress praised EastEnders producers for putting female friendships at the forefront of the show – even if Yolande and Elaine don't necessarily get off to a great start.

“It's absolutely crucial. Kathy and Elaine, for example, are great together and I have the most amazing time with Gillian Taylforth,” she said. “These two characters support each other but most of the time they have no filter and can speak very honestly to each other. That's wonderful and the essence of friendship because you should always tell your friends the truth.”

“It's these moments that count. Plus, Elaine and Kathy have a mature understanding of life experience.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show can also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.

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