Odds have been slashed on EastEnders' quiet barmaid Tracey emerging as Archie Mitchell's killer. Bookies have cut the odds from 200/1 to 5/1 on the recurring background character, played by Jane Slaughter, being revealed as the murderer in the Christmas Day episode of the soap. David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "She wasn't even on our list when we first drew it up - even Dot was a more likely criminal." He went on: "When punters phoned up to back Tracy we thought Christmas had come early." Other suspects in the murder of the Albert Square villain, played by Larry Lamb, include Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), who has odds of 4/1, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) on 7/1 and Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) on 12/1. Asked if she could be the killer, actress Jane told Digital Spy: "I wouldn't think she is that dark but who knows, she could be. There are odds at the bookies, but why?" Fans theorise that Tracey, who quit the the Vic after a row with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) on the night Archie died, could have returned, witnessed an argument and killed Archie in self-defence or to protect a member of the Mitchell family. Meanwhile, it has emerged that punters will be able to bet on the murder mystery during the live episode on Friday, in which the killer will be unmasked. A Paddy Power spokesman said: "We thought punters should have the chance to try and solve the mystery as the story unfolds." Click here to watch whatsontv.co.uk’s weekly soaps video preview, the Soap Scoop
