Why can’t Christmases just be nice, kind of like they are in real life, for the most part? You’ll never get a hassle free one on Eastenders – the festive period has become a time for infidelity, murder, crime and betrayal in East London as the soap gears up for another tumultuous crimbo.

Danny DyerPlease welcome Danny Dyer and the Carter Family

As we approach the 25th of December, Walford will see a new family enter its ranks: The Carters, lead by Danny Dyer. His character, Mick Carter will be joined by his wife Linda and two of their three children, Nancy and Johnny.

Sam Strike plays Johnny, a 19-year-old family lad with a secret to keep. He’ll be at the centre of the family’s assimilation into the area. “I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders and the Carter family,” said Strike.

"They're all really strong characters and I can't wait to see what EastEnders has planned for us all. I've grown up watching Danny and Kellie, both of whom are lovely, so to be playing their son is kind of surreal,” he added. (Radio Times)

Johnny's 21-year-old sister Nancy is played by Maddy Hill. “I feel incredibly privileged to have been given such an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to start work with such a talented cohort of actors,” she said.

“My team have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to create the Carters - a contemporary British family with cracks, knocked edges and a touch of darkness that is going to make them very special to watch,” said executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

“Starting with Shirley, the Carters are slowly going to creep into Albert Square as Christmas approaches and by New Year there will be a new vibrant EastEnders clan firmly ensconced in the Queen Vic. Watch out Walford, the Carters are coming.”

Watch out Walford indeed.