EastEnders viewers are convinced that a murder will take place in Walford at Christmas, with one resident set to lose their life – and they think they know who it is
Angie Quinn Senior Journalist
21:19, 06 Aug 2025
EastEnders viewers are certain that a brutal killing is on the cards this Christmas, with troublesome teenager Joel Marshall set to be the victim.
In Wednesday night’s instalment of the BBC One drama (August 6), young Joel’s (Max Murray) nasty conduct seemed to be getting worse. He launched a verbal attack on Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) after she caught him nicking beer from The Queen Vic.
Whilst being hauled from the boozer by his father Ross (Alex Walkinshaw), Joel also hurled abuse at Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), igniting a row with the household. Upon returning home, father and son cracked open a beer whilst watching videos of internet personality Drake Zagan, who appears to be Joel’s hero.
EastEnders’ Joel Marshall arrived in Walford earlier this year(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)READ MORE: EastEnders’ Cleo real identity ‘exposed’ as fans spot link to iconic characterREAD MORE: BBC EastEnders’ Michelle Ryan reveals reason behind Zoe Slater comeback
After Joel left the room, Ross was left appalled when he overheard Drake claiming feminism was nonsense and that women’s sole purpose was to secure a partner.
His fury intensified when he discovered a collection of “100% illegal” voyeuristic footage of women in changing rooms and similar scenarios on his teenage son’s computer, prompting him to smash the device immediately.
This shocking discovery follows just weeks after Ross learnt that Joel had recorded himself engaging in sexual activity with Avani, who is now expecting his child, reports Plymouth Live.
When Joel attempted to justify his behaviour and pleaded for his laptop back, Ross’s anger reached boiling point. He bellowed: “I do not want this filth in my house. You are a revolting, arrogant, disgusting little pervert!”
EastEnders’ Joel Marshall launched a verbal attack on Stacey Slater (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Later in the episode, Vicki Fowler (played by Alice Haig) came home to find Joel in tears in the kitchen. She reassured him that Kat would forgive his verbal tirade if he apologised.
However, Joel’s current predicament follows an incident where he sexually assaulted a woman on the Tube and persuaded Tommy Moon (portrayed by Sonny Kendall) to view adult material.
The troubled 15-year-old is still unaware that Avani is carrying his child, leading fans to speculate that her father Ravi (Aaron Thiara) will not react well to the news.
EastEnders fans think Tommy could kill Joel at Christmas (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders viewers are now predicting a grim fate for Joel at Christmas as he continues to mistreat Walford’s women.
On Reddit, one user posed the question: “What would you want Joel’s future on this show to be?”.
One response suggested: “Him getting jailed when he turns 18 so he’s charged as an adult (or is it 16? Cba googling) Or he gets killed (I wrote some theories on this a while ago lol).”
EastEnders fans think Tommy Moon could kill this Christmas (Image: BBC/JACK BARNES)
“Death by Ravi or Jean,” another user exclaimed, while a third predicted: “Coffin at Christmas.”
“Dead,” simply stated one fan, while another speculated: “Christmas this year is going to be Slater centric – especially with Zoe being back by then and Kat running the pub. I wonder if Tommy (accidentally or on purpose) kills Joel , Nigel’s probably a goner if not before then too.”
“Me at Christmas when Joel dies at the hands of Tommy #EastEnders,” another viewer declared.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer