EastEnders fans have come up with a chilling theory over who attacked Cindy Beale in a brutal Christmas Day assault – and it’s not the current suspects in the frame

EastEnders fans believe they’ve cracked the case of who assaulted Cindy Beale – and it’s not any of the suspects.

Cindy, played by Michelle Collins, was attacked on Christmas Day, sparking a police investigation with her family members, including husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and her own children Peter Beale (Thomas Law), Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) and Gina Knight (Francesca Henry), all being prime suspects.

Cindy’s daughters Gina and Anna persuaded their hesitant father George Knight (Colin Salmon) to visit Cindy, but when George questioned his ‘true’ intentions, Ian denied him access.

As the family began to suspect that Ian might be the one who harmed Cindy, George’s wife Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe) lured Ian to the pub under ‘false’ pretences so that George could reach Cindy.

George warned Cindy not to trust Ian, armed with knowledge about Ian’s involvement in covering up Denny Rickman’s (Bleu Landau) death. Meanwhile, Ian quickly saw through Elaine’s ploy, realising her “offer” to purchase Beale’s Eels was a ruse, reports Manchester Evening News.

Furious, Ian stormed back home and confronted George, who was in the process of suggesting that Ian was responsible for Cindy’s injuries. Ian retaliated by accusing George, provoking him until he struck Ian.

Cindy was attacked on Christmas Day (Image: BBC)

Ian appeared smug in the face of George’s aggression, and George ran off, leaving Cindy in shock and denying that George could harm her, while Ian tried to report the incident to the police.

Back at The Vic, as George slinked off to the cellar, Elaine caught him in a pensive mood over his recent deeds. But then, shocker they spot what looks like a bloody footprint and see the shovel stained with Cindy’s blood.

Eyes wide in horror, they’re left wondering: who’s stashed the incriminating tool in their pub, pointing the finger at the Knights?

And if that isn’t dramatic enough, some nutter lobbed a brick through the window of No. 25 last week where Cindy was shacked up, leaving a chilling note saying: “You should have stayed dead! Now I’m coming for you.”

Fans have been guessing who tried to kill Cindy (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Fans might reckon “You should have stayed dead” is some twisted nod to Cindy dodging the grim reaper last Christmas – or maybe it’s a throwback to when she pulled a fast one, faking her own demise.

Corrie buffs will remember Cindy got killed off behind bars back in ’98. Then in a bonkers twist, 25 years on, she rocks up from the grave as the showrunners spun a yarn about her being under wraps in witness protection all this time for ratting on her jailbird mate Jackie Ford, much to the cops’ delight.

With Jackie and her cronies all six feet under, Cindy got the green light to waltz back into her old life in 2023. Still, even though the coppers reckon she can stroll about without a care, does this latest threat mean they’ve cocked it up?

EastEnders viewers have cooked up a wild theory that someone linked to Jackie Ford (Image: BBC)

EastEnders viewers have cooked up a wild theory that someone linked to Jackie might be out for blood after discovering Cindy’s big secret.

One eagle-eyed fan took to social media, writing: “Is it not one of Jackie Ford’s family finding out Cindy’s alive through newspaper articles of her attack? #eastenders.”

Another chimed in with excitement: “Omg thats a sick theory! ” Meanwhile, a third sleuth suggested: “This actually makes sense, and I think it’s the most probable outcome.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am