[4][5][6] It was written by Sarah Harding, directed by John Derek, and executively produced by Matthew Robinson and Mal Young.

The special focuses on Barry (Shaun Williamson), Robbie (Dean Gaffney), Huw (Richard Elis) and Lenny (Desune Coleman) finding a way to get to the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

At Waterloo International railway station, Roy and Pat, who have two tickets to the FIFA World Cup final, are on their way to France via the Eurostar.

Meanwhile, the group's van has suddenly broken down, requiring the men to push it to the side of the road and find help.

The next morning, Roy moans about the size of the bathroom, but Pat tells him that as long as the room is clean and the bed is firm, then it is fine.

The special episodes were announced on 2 June 1998, on which a BBC spokeswoman called them "unprecedented and very exciting", adding that viewers would have "the opportunity to go [to France] with their favourite soap and see what is happening in Paris during the World Cup at the same time.

"[7] It was originally reported that there would be a single hour-long special episode and that it would be shown around the time of the World Cup Final.

The scenes were filmed two weeks from the time of the announcement being made, which is much nearer to transmission than most EastEnders' episodes, but it was too early to include the finalists in the specials, so it was reported that the drama would take place away from any football match.

"[7] It was also reported that Pat would be unhappy with her trip, and Pam St. Clement said of her character, "She isn't the world's biggest football fan and she could think of far more romantic things to be doing in Paris.

Official ratings from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board showed that the three mini episodes gained 9.82, 8.38 and 5.43 million viewers respectively.

[10] ITV soap Coronation Street also broadcast a World Cup special episode with characters preparing to watch the final, which achieved 13.29 million viewers.

[11][12] However, a BBC spokeswoman said it was "completely unrealistic to compare the unconfirmed viewing figures of EastEnders' short episode with a 50-minute special for Coronation Street.

"[11] Tom Shields from The Herald said, "Scanning the schedules for World Cup final day, we find the British Broadcasting Corporation chose to intrude an EastEnders special with a storyline which sent sundry thick and oafish characters to Paris.

"[13] Shields went on to say that the last special, shown before the World Cup final started, had "interrupted a rather entertaining preview from Des Lynam and the pundits".