EastEnders viewers were left fearing for Cindy Beale after she was left for dead in a dramatic Christmas Day episode

In a dramatic turn of events in the first EastEnders episode on Christmas Day, Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins, found herself in a precarious situation.

Her secret affair with Junior Knight was exposed, a moment that had been hinted at in spoilers and an epic trailer before the episode.

However, viewers were left stunned when the second part of the Christmas special ended with Cindy seemingly lifeless.

Elaine Peacock discovered the infidelity this week and quickly issued an ultimatum to her romantic rival. She threatened to reveal Cindy’s affair to everyone, including Cindy’s ex George, who is also Junior’s father, unless Cindy left Walford for good.

The stage was set for a tense revelation as Lauren Branning also uncovered the truth. The first episode of the night concluded with the entire pub hearing Cindy’s confession.

Cindy had previously confessed to her ex, David Wicks, about her affair with Junior while she was still with Ian Beale. In her confession, she revealed that Ian wasn’t fulfilling her needs and that her relationship with Junior was merely a bit of fun, as it was George she truly loved, reports the Mirror.

Freddie Slater inadvertently recorded the confession while his equipment was running during a bird call recording session with Cindy’s daughter, Anna Knight. The audio was transferred onto a USB stick, which ended up being the perfect Secret Santa gift for an unsuspecting resident.

Cindy fought tirelessly throughout the week and on Christmas Day to retrieve the recording and prevent its exposure. She was also conspiring with Ian for a Walford exit, intending to return to France as just the two of them – a plan spurred by Elaine’s blackmail.

However, as Cindy aimlessly roamed the Square, an unknown individual exacted a lethal revenge. This person picked up a large metal spade and struck it over Cindy’s head. She collapsed to the ground, lifeless, and the episode concluded there.

On Boxing Day’s episode, Cindy was rushed to hospital, where the family learnt she had got through surgery but would be in a coma for a while with it unknown whether she will pull through.

The festive episodes hinted at a potential demise several times, as Cindy expressed a desire never to see her loved ones again and seemed to be on a self-destructive path.

It has been hinted for weeks that this could be the moment of her downfall, and she must face the consequences. So, will her lies to Ian and her confession about Junior and George result in her being deserted by the Beales and the Knights?

Michelle, the actress behind one of EastEnders’ most controversial characters, has hinted at a tumultuous future for her on-screen persona. She revealed: “She’s very unpredictable, you never know what she’s going to be doing next thanks to Simon Ashdown [EastEnders writer]. She’s a joy to play. People love to hate her. I don’t know, after this maybe they’ll just hate her and want her gone.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.