EastEnders has set in motion a potential exit story for Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) as Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe) demanded that she leave in exchange for her silence.

Cindy, as viewers know, has been having a sordid affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour), son of her ex-husband George (Colin Salmon), behind current partner Ian’s (Adam Woodyatt) back.

The matriarch has been determined to keep a lid on the secret passion after Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) saw her kissing Junior last month and somehow she’s managed to do just that, weaving a manipulative web of lies along the way.

Elaine, however, uncovered the truth on Friday (December 20) after Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) unknowingly recorded a private conversation between Cindy and David Wicks (Michael French), in which the former admits to her affair.

Monday’s offering of the BBC One soap saw Elaine grinning like that cat that got the cream as she listened on repeat to all the juicy details of Cindy’s deception.

In a bid to use the information to her advantage, Elaine confronted Cindy, revealing that she knows everything.

In a deliciously soapy showdown between the two love rivals, Elaine told Cindy of her intention to spill the beans of her affair to the Knight clan during dinner on that very evening.

Cindy begged Elaine to reconsider and her words ultimately left the landlady with a shred of doubt. Nonetheless, as seven o’clock arrived, Elaine told her loved ones that she had something to say, preparing to reveal all about Cindy’s scandalous antics.

However, she ultimately refrained from doing so when George interrupted to deliver a speech of his own, revealing that he’s never been happier than he is right now.

Not wanting to destroy that happiness, Elaine subsequently told Cindy that she would keep her secret – but only if she agreed to leave Walford and to never contact George again.

Cindy will have a lot to think about but, despite Elaine’s promise, the truth ultimately explodes on Christmas Day.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.