EastEnders fans spot a heartbreaking hint of ANOTHER tragic death in flash-forward episode

EastEnders flash forward episode women lineed up - Stacey, Suki, Linda, Sharon, who is wearing a wedding dress, and Denise and Kathy
(Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders fans are convinced there's heartbreak ahead after a sneaky clue in last night's flash-forward revealed there could be another death on the horizon.

Last night's episode was a special one, marking the 38th anniversary of the show.

the scene is set for Christmas 2023 in EastEnders

The action shifted to Christmas 2023 giving us a glimpse of a wedding cake!  (Image credit: BBC)

The action centred on The Queen Vic where the regulars were enjoying a casual weekday evening, playing darts, having some drinks, and - in Sharon's case - getting down and dirty with Keanu in the ladies' loo!

But as one by one, characters drifted away, six women were left.

Linda, Denise, Kathy, Sharon, Stacey and Suki all remained and convinced Linda to bolt the doors and have a lock-in at the pub.

The drinks flowed, and the women shared stories about their younger days, remembering the pop stars and film stars they fancied.

There was a mention of Michelle Fowler - Sharon's best mate - and Pete Beale - Kathy's first husband - too.

Sharon has a drink with Keanu on EastEnders 38th anniversary

Sharon and Keanu were getting cosy (Image credit: BBC)

Then the chat turned to men, and the women all shared their annoyance with the men in their lives from Ryan who wants to play daddy to Lily, to Linda's rapist Dean, who'd come back into her life unexpectedly when she spotted him in the background of a photo of mother-in-law Shirley.

Add in Denise's annoyance with Jack, and Suki's problems with husband Nish, and the scene was set for a toast to the men of Walford.

"May they get what they deserve," the women chorused.

The women of Walford toast the men in their lives "may they get what they deserve"

"May they get what they deserve," the women toasted (Image credit: BBC)

And from there, the scene changed as we flashed forward to Christmas 2023.

The women were standing, shocked and bloodied, around a mystery body on the floor.

Sharon - wearing a wedding dress (WHO is she marrying?!) bent to check the unseen victim's pulse and pronounced him dead.

But who is he?!

Sharon in a wedding dress checks the victim's pulse

Sharon bent to check if the victim was alive (Image credit: BBC)

The death of the mystery man, though, wasn't the only tragedy that got fans talking.

Because as Sharon stood up, they noticed a photograph on the bar that hinted at another heartbreaking death ahead.

The photo was of young mum Lola, who's currently battling a brain tumour.

And the viewers reckon that her photo being displayed in that way is a sure sign that the newly-wed won't live to see next Christmas.

Sob!

The women all stare at the body in shock in EastEnders flash forward episode

Fans spotted the photograph of Lola on the bar, next to Linda (Image credit: BBC)

"Couldn't cope with the pic of Lola on the bar at the end," said one heartbroken fan, while another said the picture made her heart sad because it meant Lola had "just months left".

Others said they were in tears at the sad hint of what's to come.

We're not surprised! The episode gave us a lot to take in. In fact, we're off to watch it again to look for more hints about what's in store at Christmas 2023!

EastEnders usually airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One. Check our TV Guide for more information.

Kerry Barrett
Freelance writer

Kerry is a writer, author and editor with a lifelong love of the soaps, a passion for TV drama of all kinds, and an obsessive devotion to Strictly Come Dancing. 

She was features editor of All About Soap magazine for more than a decade, covering every bit of excitement from all the UK soaps and the Aussies and still writes about all the juiciest gossip from the Street, the Square and the Dales whenever she can.

Kerry’s also an author of historical fiction, and her two jobs collided when she got the chance to write two novels based on Emmerdale, and the Sugden, Tate and Dingle families, during WW2.