WELL, this makes a nice change! We're used to a traditional soap wedding in a church, which inevitably goes wrong somewhere along the way, but Syed and Amira's nuptials are a lot more colourful and interesting.

WHODUNNIT: Janine is a prime suspect. New Year TV For a start, the preparations go on for days and Syed leads a procession of drummers around the Square on horseback, which doesn't happen normally. Add to that some energetic dancing from the males in the wedding party, rather than women dancing round their handbags, and it's all rather refreshing.

But of course, some things remain the same in soapland. Like the eternal question of will they or won't they actually tie the knot on New Year's Day? One obstacle is Amira's father Qadim, who's released from prison in time for the wedding. Syed's pleased, until Amira confesses he didn't give them his blessing and will probably want his money back. Sure eastenders a good enough match. But a rather larger fly in the ointment is the fact that Syed is gay and in love with Christian, but refusing to admit it as he wants to be a good Muslim. He's determined to make a 'normal' life for himself with Amira, but Christian is back from Barcelona vowing to stop the wedding - and he and Syed share a passionate kiss as midnight strikes.

The truth is bound to come out soon as more and more people learn their secret. Jane and Lucy know, and so does Zainab when Christian tells her he's been having an affair with her son. She reacts furiously by attacking him, but will she spill the beans to Amira? Meanwhile, back at the police station, Ronnie is interviewed about Archie's murder but released when their attentions turn to Janine.

Also, Ricky proposes to Bianca at the stroke of midnight and Todd shares a kiss with

CAPTION(S):

SHOWDOWN: Will Syed and Amira tie the knot as Zainab and Christian come to blows in EastEnders?

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