EastEnders fans share GENUIS theory about who attacked Ian Beale

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders
Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders

Fans think they have spotted a red herring...

EastEnders fans have come up with a great theory about who attacked Ian Beale tonight and left him for dead on the floor of The Vic.

With Ian managing to annoy pretty much everyone in Walford, the list of people who would happily bump him off is endless.

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders Tina

Could Tina be the one who attacked Ian? (Picture: BBC)

But tonight's episode saw a chilling montage at the end of the episode, lining up the suspects for the latest soap whodunnit.

Or did it?

More: Christmas TV guide - the best shows to watch and when they're on

Fans have a theory 

While EastEnders writers have lined up Max (Jake Wood), Peter, Bobby, Tina, Suki, Rainie, Stuart (Ricky Champ) and Ben (Max Bowden) as the main suspects, fans are convinced they are all a huge red herring.

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders - Peter

Is Peter guilty? (Picture: BBC)

Viewers have taken to Twitter to share their theory that none of the people featured in the montage will be the one who attacked Ian.

Fans have predicted that they think the guilt suspect will be someone different entirely, and their theories span from Sharon or Phil, to Callum.

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders Max

Ia Max to blame? (Picture: BBC)

Some have even suggested Ian's ex, Jane, could be back in Walford to try and finish off Mr Beale...

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Who attacked Ian is set to become a classic soap whodunit, with the police on the scene of the crime next week trying to work out exactly what happened the night that Ian was left for dead.

In the montage, Ben could be seen sneaking out of the Vic in the dead of night, while Rainie was seen dashing past the pub while looking over her shoulder.

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders Suki

Has Suki paid someone to attack Ian for her? (Picture: BBC)

Bobby was in the alley near the barrel store looking very suspicious, while Peter returned home as Kathy opened the front door just in time to see he'd hurt his face.

Stuart could be seen burning something, while Suki was nursing a drink in Ruby's... but was she there to give herself an alibi while someone else did her dirty work for her?

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders Stuart

What was Stuart burning? (Picture: BBC)

Tina is also about to find herself in a whole heap of trouble if that's Ian's blood she was seen washing from her hands, while Max looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

But are fans right, and it is someone else entirely the police should be looking for?

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders Bobby

Has killer Bobby struck again? (Picture: BBC)

Has Sharon had enough of Ian's lies and scheming?

Phil would definitely see red if someone told him it was Ian who grassed them up to the police the night of the heist, but could he be the one who attacked Ian?

Who attacked Ian Beale EastEnders Ben

Has Ben tried to kill his own brother? (Picture: BBC)

With the clues all starting to stack up in the run up to Christmas, it seems the net will soon start closing in on whoever wanted Ian dead.

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One - see our TV Guide for full listings.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.