BBC EastEnders spoilers for next week: Second death rocks Walford and life-changing DNA twist

EastEnders is set for even more drama next week following the explosive Christmas Day death.

Spoilers have revealed that The Six will see fresh turmoil in the fallout to the shocking Queen Vic Keanu Taylor murder. Elsewhere, Lauren Branning returns to Albert Square, and she’s stunned by a DNA bombshell.

Also in Walford, news of a tragic death hits Albert Square as one family suffers a loss just weeks after Keanu’s hidden murder. Here’s the biggest moments ahead on EastEnders next week…

Second death in Keanu Taylor murder fallout as one family ‘hit hard’

EastEnders will air news of a sad death next week, as more tragedy hits Walford following Keanu Taylor’s murder. The Mitchells will suffer a huge and sad loss in the coming weeks, leaving one character “hit hard”. This Christmas, fans finally learned the events of Christmas Day and who died, as well as who the killer was.

All became clear as an attack on Nish by Denise to save Suki happened as he dragged his wife towards the doors as she tried to end their marriage, which led to him being declared dead. But in a twist, Nish was revived by Suki, only for Keanu to walk in and see the scene.

Keanu made a run for it to get Sharon’s son Albie from upstairs, and as the pair fought out the back of the pub he began to strangle her. Linda grabbed a knife and stabbed Keanu in the back to get him off of Sharon, resulting in his brutal death. But Keanu’s demise isn’t the only tragedy to strike Walford in recent times, and next week the Mitchells will find out their beloved Aunt Sal has passed away. News of her death reaches the family, and leaves Phil devastated.

The Mitchell favourite’s passing leaves Phil contemplating the importance of family and so he goes to see Sharon to ask for access to son Albie, but Zack stops him in his tracks. Phil only recently discovered Sharon’s son Albie was his child and not Keanu’s.

Aunt Sal’s death will be announced in scenes airing Wednesday January 10. Cast members had been pictured filming scenes for the soap favourite’s funeral a few months ago, with it confirmed the BBC soap would pay tribute to her.

Aunt Sal was last seen by viewers as she attended the funeral of Ronnie and Roxy’s funeral in 2017 where she locked horns with their mother Glenda for abandoning them as children. Last year, Aunt Sal played by Anna Karen passed away following a house fire at her home in Ilford, London. Firemen rushed to the incident shortly after 10.30pm and firemen managed to get the fire under control in less than an hour – but the actress sadly died.

In a statement soap bosses paid a heartfelt tribute to the star that read: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away. Anna created a sharp, quick witted and extremely popular character in Aunt Sal that the audience will never forget, just as those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness fun and good humour. Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.”

The Six forced to take gruesome action after new Keanu Taylor twist

EastEnders fans will see fresh turmoil for The Six in the fallout to the shocking Christmas Day murder. The six female characters at the centre of Keanu’s brutal murder, and the attack on Nish, must take gruesome action in the coming weeks after the big scenes aired.

Viewers have seen the six characters come up with a story as to the events of that evening, as Nish continues to fight for life. For now, Keanu’s body is hidden under the floor of the burnt out café, but it’s only a matter of time before his death risks being exposed.

In upcoming scenes, spoilers reveal that Kathy gets a warning that could leave all of them at risk of being exposed. The builders plan to start working on the café’s restoration, which will of course result in Keanu’s dead body being found.

Kathy, Suki and Linda see what is happening and warn the others, and they are forced to carry out the grim task of moving Keanu’s decomposing corpse. Suki manages to stop the building works going ahead that day, giving the women time to move the body.

But as the women get to it, Suki gets a phone call that could change everything. What has she learned, and will the women manage to get rid of Keanu’s body before it’s discovered by the builders or one of the Beales?

Lauren Branning discovers life-changing DNA twist as she returns to Walford

EastEnders’ Lauren Branning returns to Albert Square next week, and she’s stunned by a DNA bombshell. The character who made a brief comeback earlier this year returns to Walford for the first time since Dot Cotton’s funeral in 2022, and she’s not happy after drama with her cousin Penny Branning.

Lauren is making a permanent return to the show, with actress Jacqueline Jossa reprising her role. Lauren left Walford back in 2018. She will be returning with her and Peter Beale’s son Louie, but they’re not alone. Joining Lauren in Walford is her cousin, Jack Branning’s daughter Penny. Penny’s return comes 15 years after she last appeared in Albert Square back in 2008.

Upcoming scenes will see Penny head to Walford without Lauren, and she’s soon left struggling to cope. But more becomes clear when Lauren finally heads home, and is reunited with Peter, Louie and Penny. Lauren soon makes a discovery though about something Penny is hiding, so she decides to go to her mum Tanya’s immediately. She’s stopped in her tracks though by her cousin Sonia Fowler, who drops a DNA bombshell that changes Lauren’s life.