News from Walford way today begins with BBC Worldwide announcing that they are to air a new episode of EastEnders twice a day, so that Aussies can “catch up” with the plotlines.

EastEnders has been airing UKTV since the channel’s launch in 1996, but in order to close the gap between the Australian episode and those aired here in the UK, installments will now air twice a day, Monday to Thursday, from January 23 at 6.30pm.

BBC Worldwide Australia’s Deirdre Brennan said of the new schedule, “EastEnders is our number one show.

“I’m delighted to be able to give our soap savvy fans a double-helping from the Square as we close the gap on the UK.

“With Mandy’s unlikely romance with Ian, Tyler’s determined attempts to woo Whitney and mayhem at the Moons’, there’s plenty for them to enjoy…”

Aussies are also going to be treated to a new dedicated website for the soap, will is being launched to coincide with the double episodes.

On the site, fans will be able to catch up with episodes, and watch preview clips and see behind-the-scenes videos.

So, the Aussies won’t be far behind us when we – and the seemingly professionally unlucky – Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) discovers that Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) had his daughter, who then tragically died.

Mandy and Ricky had a fling when Mandy was a troubled teen, and by the time she discovered she was pregnant, Mandy had left Walford firmly behind.

But as we learned when she ‘fessed up to Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) about why she’d ditched him on their wedding day, Mandy gave birth to Ricky’s daughter, but she passed away the same day she was born.

We’ll see Mandy tell Ricky about his daughter in forthcoming episodes, and stunned by the news, Ricky decides he won’t tell his girlfriend Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) about it just yet.

However, Bianca finds out when Ian lets the secret slip, and, infuriated that Ricky didn’t tell her, she says they’re over and orders Ricky to move out.

But later, while having a heart-to-heart with her mum Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) Bianca reveals that she still loves Ricky, however, though Carol advises her daughter to “move on”, Ricky tries to win Bianca back with a romantic meal…

But will that be enough?

Find out as of Monday, January 16 on BBC1.