BBC EastEnders spoilers detail extended episode 10 years after Lucy Beale’s murder

EastEnders will air an hour-long episode of the BBC soap next week, and new spoilers have confirmed what fans can expect.

It appears the episode has been extended due to sports coverage on the channel, as there is no episode airing on Thursday next week. Instead, amid fans speculating there’s something big planned, an extended episode will air on Wednesday.

It’s not known if the episode was planned to be this length ahead of the schedule change, or if it will air like two separate episodes. Judging by the spoilers, a key storyline will be the 10th anniversary of Lucy Beale’s murder.

Lucy was killed by her younger brother Bobby Beale by accident on April 18 2014, and next week her family gathers to remember the character. It will be Cindy Beale’s first anniversary spent with family, after her return to the show last year.

As the family gather together, Cindy struggles as she misremembers things and is reminded how much of Lucy’s life she missed while she was away. She flees the gathering and seeks out her ex-husband George Knight in the Boxing Den – but will she be tempted amidst her grief?

Also during the episode, Jay is struggling to process the news that Nadine is pregnant and he decides to tell his loved ones. Meanwhile Whitney Dean encourages Britney to cover up the lies she’s told, resulting in a falling out with her pal Lauren Branning.

There’s also devastating scenes for Yolande Trueman, as she’s sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton in horrifying scenes. Amid a row with partner Patrick Trueman, Yolande seeks solace at the Laundrette where she confides in Elaine, moments after Pastor Clayton assaults her while they’re alone at the Community Centre – but will she confide in Patrick about her ordeal?

Meanwhile, fans have been speculating we might see the return of Jane Beale to coincide with Lucy’s anniversary. Lucy and Bobby’s stepmother Jane covered up Bobby’s crime for almost a year, even moving Lucy’s body to the woods.

A year later and the family found out the truth, but it was another year until Bobby confessed his crime and was sent to a youth detention centre. Fans are convinced this could be the moment Jane Beale returns to the show, having departed in 2017 after a run-in with Max Branning who was seeking revenge, after being framed for Lucy’s murder.

Taking to social media, fans shared their thoughts that Jane will head back to Walford for the special scenes. One fan posted: “I really hope Jane comes back!!!” as another said: “The return of Jane Clarke looms x.”

A third viewer wrote: “we need our jane’s return,” as a fourth fan said: “God I want Jane Beale to come back for Lucy’s 10th anniversary and just deck Cindy Jane is a much better character than Cindy.” Another viewer said: “Manifesting jane will be back for lucys ten yr anniversary week and now with cindy back would like to see them come face to face it needs to happen.”