Christmas TV specials have delivered some of the most shocking and surprising moments on the little screen throughout the years.
Viewers have gasped in horror as affairs have been exposed, divorce papers have been filed and fan favourites have suddenly died on some of the biggest soaps and TV dramas.
Whether it was EastEnders, BBC series Merlin, detective drama Sherlock or hit comedy The Royle Family, there are moments that viewers are still talking about – even decades after they aired.
READ MORE: Behind the scenes secrets of Christmas TV specials – seasickness, real tears and stunts
As we wait to see what shockers the 2022 Christmas TV specials have in store for us, Daily Star takes a look at some of the most surprising moments to have aired in the past.
Dirty Den hands Angie Watts divorce papers (1986)
(Image: BBC)
Christmas TV soap moments do not come more shocking than Dirty Den handing Angie Watts divorce papers.
The explosive moment in 1986 was watched by more than 30 million people, as viewers saw Den discover that Angie had been lying about having a terminal illness.
He soon handed her divorce papers, with the moment still one of the most talked about soap stories of all time.
Angie Watts actress Anita Dobson said the impact of the story even led fans to follow her home, telling The Mirror: “I didn’t know what had hit me. People were following me home in cars, I couldn’t go to pubs or supermarkets or walk down the street.”
Hilda Ogden’s shock exit (1987)
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Hilda Ogden is one of the Coronation Street OGs, and no-one ever expected her to leave Weatherfield.
However, fans were left in shock as Hilda Ogden decided to make a new life for herself away from the cobbles to become Dr Lowther’s housekeeper.
After 23 years on Coronation Street, Hilda bid a fond farewell to the soap – but her memory continues to live on.
King Arthur dies (2013)
(Image: Shine TV)
BBC series Merlin was voted as one of the greatest TV series of all time by Radio Times readers in 2017 – just four years after its heartbreaking Christmas Eve episode.
The final episode of the beloved BBC drama saw Merlin set out to save King Arthur, after he was stabbed by Mordred in a battle for Camelot.
Merlin had revealed his powers to Arthur, leaving the King in shock, after he realised his servant had been secretly helping him throughout the years.
(Image: SHINE TV)
The young wizard soon attempted to take Arthur to Avalon to be saved, but after being stopped in their tracks by Morgana (who later met her end at Merlin’s hands), it was too late.
Fans were left in tears as Arthur died in Merlin’s arms, just yards away from Avalon, as he said his heartbreaking final words to him – “Thank you.”
Matthew is killed in Downton Abbey (2012)
(Image: PA)
The Downton Abbey Christmas special in 2012 was supposed to be full of joy, as Lady Mary returned early from Scotland to give birth to her child.
She was rushed to Cottage Hospital to welcome her first child with love of her life Matthew Crawley, with the excited father to be returning to meet her.
However, their happiness was cut devastatingly short when Matthew was killed in car accident on route – breaking the hearts of fans and the Downton Abbey characters in the process.
Sherlock steps off a hospital roof (2012)
(Image: Daily Post)
Another BBC drama to have its share of explosive Christmas moments was Sherlock – a modern day re-working of the famous detective stories, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the famous sleuth.
In 2012, viewers could not believe their eyes when Sherlock’s nemesis Moriarty told Sherlock that only his death would save his life and that of Dr Watson – before he appeared to shoot himself.
Watched by nine million viewers, further shock was to come when Sherlock threw himself off a roof and jumped to his ‘death’ – leaving fans wondering what was to become of their favourite detective.
Pauline Fowler dies in EastEnders (2006)
(Image: BBC)
Pauline Fowler is an EastEnders icon – so fans were left devastated when she died suddenly on Christmas day in 2006.
The Albert Square resident was known for her strong opinions, and had previously lied about being ill in order to keep son Martin away from Sonia Jackson.
However, Pauline suddenly became ill for real after suffering a brain haemorrhage and sadly died soon after under the Christmas tree, with the beloved resident found collapsed in the snow.
The Royle Family Christmas Day birth (1999)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
The Royle Family is one of the most beloved comedies of all time, but it also had its share of heartbreaking moments too.
One such moment occurred on Christmas Day 1999, when Denise went into labour three weeks early with her baby, David.
The late Caroline Ahearne, who wrote the comedy with Craig Cash, also played Denise Royle in the show – with one scene showing Ricky Tomlinson’s character Jim putting his arms around her in the bathroom.
The heartwarming scene saw Jim tell Denise that she is going to be a great mother, but Ricky revealed to The Mirror the behind the scenes reason why the scene was so poignant.
He told The Mirror: “I think it was so special to her because she didn’t have children.
“And it was so special to me because my own girl, my Kate, was born on Christmas Day.”
Ricky added: “That’s why the tears were real. The cameraman was the son of Corrie character Stan Ogden and at the end he was crying and said: ‘That’s it. We don’t need another take.’ It just stands out in my mind.”
The Snowman melts (1982)
(Image: TVC London Productions)
The Snowman is a Christmas TV staple, with Walking In The Air played countless times on TV and radio throughout the year.
Despite being filled with magic and wonder, as a little boy journeys with a snowman to distant lands, its ending undoubtedly proved emotional for viewers.
Waking up on Christmas morning, the little boy visited his new snow friend in the garden – only to find that he had melted.
Holding up his scarf, the little boy looked visibly upset, with The Mirror reporting that author Raymond Briggs included the moment to “introduce children to the concept of mortality.”
Max and Stacey’s affair is exposed in EastEnders (2007)
EastEnders are no stranger to a shock Christmas storyline or two, and more than 20 years after Dirty Den’s divorce paper-gate, another relationship was set to explode.
More than 14.38 million people watched on in horror as Stacey Slater and Max Branning’s affair was exposed in front of Stacey’s husband – who also happened to be Max’s son, Bradley.
A wedding DVD exposed their affair after Max and Stacey were spotted sharing a steamy kiss, leading to another of the soap’s biggest cliff-hanger endings in TV history.
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
