Viewers had ‘goosebumps’ as Lola Pearce made a surprise return in EastEnders on Friday night, ahead of the Christmas whodunnit murder.
Lola (played by Danielle Harold) lost her battle to brain cancer in May but appeared beyond the grave to give husband Jay Brown a pre-recorded Christmas message.
Eagle-eyed fans believe it could hold a key clue as to who is the killer in Albert Square, after bosses teased an explosive storyline for Christmas Day.
As the voiceover played, the scene moved from Jay watching Lola’s video to familiar faces in Walford who have been potential suspects for weeks.
In a teaser released in February, Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) were seen standing over a mystery dead body.
The BBC soap later confirmed the seven potential candidates for the body: Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), and Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton (Brian Conley).
And fans were left questioning why Lola returned and made a note of that Jay and Billy were included in that scene.
Others pointed out when she said ‘burn it down’, the camera fell on potential victim Rocky.
Lola told Jay: ‘Well I had to come and say hello, didn’t I? It’s that time of year again. Time of fun, laughter, magic. Wishes coming true.
‘And my wish for you is that your Christmas is everything that it should be. Fun, silly games, family bust-ups because it’s not Christmas without a family bust-up.
‘What I want to say to you is Merry Christmas. I don’t suppose it’s been all that merry though, has it?
‘Because when you love someone, when you really love someone, the thought of losing them makes you rage. There’s been times when I’ve wanted to kick off and burn everything down.
‘I suppose you’ve had some moments like that over the last few months, eh?
But that’s ok. You’re not a saint, and you don’t have to be. You’re just a lovely guy trying to hold his family together.
‘I can’t help being angry. I love you, and I always always will.’
Fans to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment on Lola’s moving return and what they thought it meant.
They said: ‘Lola saying ‘burn it all down’ while the camera focused on Rocky’.
‘This clip made me feel so many emotions. Lola’s message to Jay, Suki and Eve having a kiss, Ravi and Nish getting released, all the six women and the six men having a showdown leading up to Monday’s episode. I’m scared for Monday’s episode but I’m also very excited!’
‘THAT ENDING. Okay, so all looked at the men they hate hut Suki bc she thinks she’s getting her happy ending. I love that Lola spoke over that final scene but WHY. Why was Jay included in… Billy also in shot during that scene.’
‘ Lola returns to deliver an amazing monologue that ties thematically to The Six. Are you kidding me with how good this is’.
‘The Lola voiceover/Howie singing – everyone looking at each other, the zooms, #TheSix looking at their guys, the pan to The Vic – insanity – goosebumps!!!’.
