EastEnders fans are fearing a long-serving character on the BBC soap will bow out in the coming months as part of an explosive revenge storyline, amid a possible return

There could be a sad exit looming on EastEnders if a new fan theory is anything to go by.

Some fans can’t help but suspect one Walford legend is about to leave the BBC soap. A recent and deadly twist on the show sparked the fears the character in question could find her days in Albert Square numbered.

A shocking crime and a possible revenge plot, as well as a predicted return, have left fans convinced another exit is on the way. The character in question is Kathy Beale, adored by fans.

But would Kathy really leave the show? We hope not, but it’s not stopped fans from speculating given the twist involving Cindy Beale recently.

During the 40th anniversary episodes the character was revealed to be the person who attacked Cindy and left her for dead on Christmas Day. After Cindy accused Kathy’s son Ian Beale of the crime and threatened him with a gun, Kathy told the truth.

This is the second time in the space of a year that Kathy has found herself at the centre of a brutal crime and a shocking cover-up. When Cindy found out Kathy was her attacker she vowed revenge.

There could be a sad exit looming on EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Kathy had zero remorse, even claiming she’d wished Cindy had died. That said she did end up saving her former daughter-in-law days later during The Queen Vic explosion.

If fans had thought that would be that and the pair were even, Cindy had other plans. Cindy vowed to expose Kathy to everyone, wanting her to pay for her crime – with Ian and Kathy sure she’d go to the police.

But Ian threatened to expose Cindy’s involvement in the pub explosion that claimed the lives of Reiss Colwell and much-loved resident Martin Fowler. Cindy had thrown Ian into the road causing Reiss to swerve the car, with him crashing into the pub and causing it to explode.

Cindy realised if she said anything about Kathy her own actions would be outed, and she could lose her family forever. So Ian offered her some money to silencer her, but told her if she took it she needed to leave Walford.

So Cindy left, but she made it very clear that it wasn’t over and that she would have her revenge on Ian and Kathy. So when she inevitably returns for payback, will this be the end of Kathy?

Will the revenge drive poor Kathy away from Walford? Fans fear this to be the case, with one writing on social media: “Kathy is leaving soon I can feel it,” with another adding: “Cindy will get her revenge with her.”