EastEnders viewers are convinced Ian Beale will DIE this Christmas in epic whodunnit murder plot after huge clue

EastEnders fans are convinced it will be Ian Beale who dies this Christmas ahead of the celebratory murder plot and epic whodunnit.

Ian – played by Adam Woodyatt – will make a big return to the BBC soap this week, when he arrives in Walford with his wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Cindy made a shocking return from the dead after 26 years last month when it was revealed she was living in France with ex-husband Ian Beale and son Peter.

It later transpired that Cindy had been living in witness protection for the past 20 years and was given the alias Rose Knight, and has yet to return to Walford.

In another twist, she was revealed to be the absent wife of Queen Vic’s landlord, George Knight (Colin Salmon), and mother of their two daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).

Since then, fans have been theorizing who the dead body is on the floor of the Queen Vic on Christmas Day.

On Twitter, some viewers said it could be Ian.

One said, “What if the armor in the flash forward represents… Cindy (aka Rose Knight) and the body is Ian? It’s my backup theory anyway.”

Another wrote: ‘It’s going to be IAN on the floor at Christmas with the #cufflinks after an accidental blow or heart attack.

“I also think he escorts Sharon down the aisle. @bbceastenders #IanBeale.’

A third wrote: ‘Can you imagine it was Ian who was killed at Christmas.’

A fourth commented, “Ian is the dead body at Christmas, I just feel it in my bones.”

The BBC soap made history in an episode in February when they flash-forwarded a Christmas murder.

Shock: The BBC soap made history in a February episode when they teased a flash-forward of a Christmas murder

Return: Ian – played by Adam Woodyatt – will make a big return to the BBC soap this week, arriving in Walford with his wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Drama: In a further twist, she was revealed to be the absent wife of Queen Vic landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon), and mother of their two daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford)

Goal? Since then, fans have been theorizing who the dead body is on the floor of the Queen Vic on Christmas Day

In the shocking scenes, Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) were seen surrounding a corpse, but the identity of the corpse and the killer were kept secret.

Viewers will have to wait nearly another five months to see exactly what unfolds during the Christmas Day episode, which will see every woman and the men in their lives undergo dramatic storylines that will explain the evening’s drama.

Meanwhile, this week Cindy goes to Albert Square looking for Kathy.

Desperate not to be seen, Cindy must avoid those who knew her from many years ago.

With no luck at the cafe, Cindy goes to Number 45 to face the music and it’s not long before all hell breaks loose between the women.

Later, Ian arrives desperate to get Cindy out, but she is stopped by George, who has just left The Vic.

After a shocking visit from Cindy, Kathy is stunned to learn that Peter is back in Walford. Later, Peter and Kathy have a heart-to-heart talk.

Peter goes to his father and soon realizes the real reason why his father did not want Cindy to return to the square.