As Christmas fast approaches, EastEnders has started to reveal the big storylines that will be running over the festive season – and it is set to be a dramatic few weeks in Walford.
The BBC soap has recently announced plans for the all-important Christmas Day episode, with some huge secrets set to be uncovered that will put a spanner in the Beale and Knight family
celebrations.
There are also lots of other exciting plots unfolding over December, so if you have missed any of the recent spoilers, here is a round-up of everything that has been released for far.
1. Christmas Day Cindy reveal
This year, Cindy Beale has embarked on a dangerous affair with Junior Knight, the son of her ex-husband, George. She called things off for a while, after she got engaged to Ian, and had a revealing chat with her ex, David Wicks – where she confessed that despite her fling with Junior, her true feelings lie with George.
Recently, the pair reignited their affair, but they were caught in the act by Junior’s uncle Kojo. In her attempts to keep Kojo quiet, he fell off the fire escape and ended up in a serious condition in hospital. Cindy issued a serious threat to Kojo, and she feels that she has managed to keep her betrayal under wraps.
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But what she doesn’t realise is that her bombshell conversation with David was recorded by Freddie’s birdwatching microphone. On-screen, Freddie is currently trying to flog CDs of his extensive collection of bird sounds, and it seems inevitable that the revealing chat will soon be heard by someone else.
EastEnders has confirmed that Cindy’s lies will come out on Christmas Day, no less, with dramatic scenes ahead.
The synopsis reads: “Secrets and lies are set to throw a wrecking ball into the Beale family festivities this year as the shocking truth about Cindy is revealed in spectacular fashion on Christmas Day.
“The incriminating evidence captured on tape will expose Cindy’s true love for ex-husband George and her scandalous affair with his son, Junior. Cindy has nowhere to hide as all hell breaks loose in the Beale and Knight families, with fury and accusations flying on all sides.”
2. Lauren’s painkiller addiction
Since she got injured in the club crush over the summer, Lauren Branning has been struggling to manage her pain, and recently found it difficult to cope when she was denied another prescription of painkillers by the GP. To make things more complicated, she has found out that she is pregnant.
As her relationship with Peter continued to suffer, Lauren resorted to desperate measures and stole a bottle of Amy’s liquid morphine. She then discovered Kojo after his fall and realised that Cindy was involved – but Cindy found the morphine and used it as leverage, blackmailing her into lying to the police.
Lauren tried to get clean, but Cindy was scared that she might change her statement, so she got hold of an illegal supply of pills to keep her quiet. With Lauren and Cindy holding each other’s secrets, will Cindy’s scheme force Lauren to slip further into her painkiller addiction?
3. Linda continues to spiral
Linda Carter’s alcoholism has become a major problem again in recent months, as she is still haunted by causing Keanu Taylor’s death almost 12 months ago. As her drinking has become heavier, Johnny is unsure about how to help his mum, while Phil and Alfie are both concerned about her wellbeing.
This December, the situation will become much worse, when Ollie is affected by Linda’s drunken behaviour. She moves in with Sharon, but things soon go very wrong. Linda has some painful confrontations with her loved ones, and a devastating day ends with Elaine giving her daughter a major ultimatum.
There are lots of theories flying around about how Linda’s story might unfold over Christmas, with worrying funeral filming scenes causing fans to panic that the popular character might lose her life over the festive season. Will Linda be okay, and will she get the help she needs?
4. Phil’s isolation
This year, EastEnders has begun to explore Phil Mitchell’s loneliness, as he becomes more isolated from his family. This has been recognised by those around him, with both Sharon and Kat attempting to offer support.
As Christmas approaches, this will become more apparent, especially as Sharon makes things official with his cousin Teddy. Nicola discovers a secret about Phil, before Jay extends another invitation for him to join them for Christmas lunch.
It was reported last month that over the festive period, Phil’s mood will continue to deteriorate and he will begin to have suicidal thoughts. There is also speculation that Phil’s brother Grant could return during this storyline, but this is not confirmed. Will Phil be able to reach out to his loved ones?
5. Nish’s final stand
It was suggested that viewers had seen the last of Nish Panesar when he took the blame for Keanu’s murder. But though he is in prison, he is not done yet, after he found out through Nugget that Suki and Eve still intended to get married – confirming that Suki had gone back on her promise.
In Tuesday’s episode (December 3), Suki visited Nish after being told that he was on his deathbed and had hours to live. But it was later revealed that this was a lie, and he had paid a doctor to exaggerate his condition.
This man also appears to be helping him with a larger scheme, as Nish remarked that he would make sure Suki doesn’t marry Eve. Will dying Nish’s sinister plan unfold over the Christmas period, and are Suki and Eve in danger?
6. Martin and Ruby struggle
Martin has had a difficult few weeks, as he found out that he has a son he never knew about with Ruby. He also soon discovered that Roman was in hospital and was potentially in need of a liver transplant.
He hatched a secret scheme to get his name on the birth certificate then apply for full custody of Roman, but Ruby was furious when she found out. Ruby continues to shut him out in upcoming scenes, but this might not last, as Martin is told that there has been a change in Roman’s condition. Will the Christmas period bring good or bad news for Martin, Ruby and their son?
7. Denise gets a surprise
Denise Fox has recently turned over a new leaf, finally signing her divorce papers following a brief reunion with Jack Branning. But on George and Elaine’s wedding day, she was teased about her relationships with Ravi and Jack, and it looks like she might still harbour feelings for both of them.
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She will be involved in the upcoming Christmas Day plot, and she gets a surprise from a special someone – could it be Jack, Ravi or someone else?
The soap revealed: “Denise Fox will be getting an unexpected Christmas present courtesy of an unlikely gift-bearer and finds herself enjoying a very different day from the one she had last year.”
8. More festive clues
Amongst all the drama, there are also some fun festive plots ahead in Albert Square. For example, Mo and Kim organise a cheeky photoshoot for the men of Walford as part of a charity calendar. Kim also has to resort to bribery to get a choir ready for the Christmas Eve concert, while Ian and his family dress up for the Beale’s Eels Santa float.
But there are some other teasers as to what is to come this Christmas, with a festive synopsis reading: “As the yuletide warmth stokes up old feelings for some, for others, ghosts of Christmas past return.” Who is set to reunite, and who is set to return to Walford?
