EastEnders fans in a frenzy as hour long episode revealed for 10th anniversary of Lucy Beale’s 𝕕eath

It’s been a whole decade since Lucy Beale’s (Hetti Bywater) brutal death in EastEnders, and with mum Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) back in the Square, fans are convinced the show has a huge surprise planned.

Long term viewers of the BBC soap will remember that the legacy character was found dead on Good Friday in 2014, and sparked an almost year long ‘whodunnit?’ storyline.

Culminating with the programme’s 30th anniversary celebrations, it was revealed that her half-brother Bobby Beale (then Eliot Carrington) had lashed out and killed her with the jewellery box she used to store her drugs.

Since then, her death has continued to spark fresh emotion amongst residents, most recently when Cindy returned to Albert Square last summer after supposedly being dead for 25 years.

There were a number of suspects in her murder

The iconic character had actually been living in witness protection and had forged a new life under the name of Rose, marrying George Knight (Colin Salmon) and giving birth to two more children, Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).

It was revealed that 10 years ago, she’d put their lives in jeopardy by travelling back to Walford in the wake of Lucy’s death as she watched ex-husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) grieving from afar.

The unique episode used a blend of archive footage from the time, and new scenes with Cindy shot on the show’s new £87m set at the BBC Elstree Centre in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

With the anniversary fast approaching, fans have noticed that TV schedules have factored in for an hour long episode on 17th April – and social media has gone wild with speculation of her return.

After all, its not entirely implausible with both her mum and gran Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) plus neighbour Dirty Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) rising from the grave in the last twenty years.

‘Imagine if Lucy Beale wasn’t actually dead and turned up with R.I.P by Rita Ora playing in the background’ said one viewer.

Another added: ‘Lucy is returning! I can’t believe it they are resurrecting Dame Lucy Beale.’

‘A full hour episode with no description, and the spoilers before it being vague about minor storylines? Something big must be happening on the 17th’ questioned one user.

Others are more convinced that Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) could be making a long awaited return.

‘If Jane Beale comes back, all bets are f*cking off man. I’ll quit my job, lock myself in my house and refresh iPlayer compulsively until she’s on my screen again’

‘Ar’ Jane‘s return. We need a war between her and Cindy’ replied another.

What we do know is that the week will focus on George Knight struggling to contain his emotions amid his dad Eddie’s (Christopher Fairbank) ongoing trial for a racially motivated murder, whilst Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) will receive a surprise voice note.

Plus, with Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) coming home, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) tries to her recent mental health breakdown a secret.

The 17th April episode’s synopsis is more ominous, simply reading ‘Welcome to Walford, E20.’