EastEnders fans thrilled by sneaky soap crossover in latest episode

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders has doubled down on its Neighbours references in the latest episode, with fans branding the crossover “iconic”.

After marking April Fool’s Day with a Neighbours-like, lighthearted opening theme, the BBC One series kicked off a feud between Priya Nandra-Hart and Vicki Fowler with an Easter egg for fans of the Aussie soap.

Returning character Vicki, now played by Alice Haig, has been lying about her hidden agenda behind her Walford comeback. While she’s back to attend her uncle Martin’s funeral, she’s also looking for some cash to cover her partner Ross‘s credit cards debts.

In new scene that aired today, Vicki’s designated victim was Ian Beale. She stopped by to say hello to her cousin, not wasting any time before she asked him for some money.

Before Ian could agree, he found an unexpected ally in Priya, who not long ago teamed up with his ex Cindy to incriminate him for her Christmas Day attack.

BBC

“She’s a chancer,” Priya said of Vicki, who was shocked by the intrusion.

“Ask her when she can pay you back,” insisted Priya, leaving Vicki little choice but to admit she didn’t know.

Ian appreciated the help, but still gave Vicki the benefit of the doubt and pondered about her request. Priya left, but not before threatening Vicki with a one-liner that was a clear nod to Neighbours theme tune.

“And by the way, I live next door,” Priya told Vicki.

“What’s it they say in Australia? Everybody needs good neighbours.”

BBC

Fans were quick to spot the reference, with one person calling the crossover a “Soap Inception of the highest calibre” on Twitter/X.

“The Neighbours reference on EastEnders! Nothing short of ICONIC!” another comment read, while a third viewer wrote: “Neighbours reference in Eastenders I’ve won.”

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee and Prime Video in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach Comedy.