Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) has reached the very end of her tether in EastEnders and during the show’s 40th anniversary week, she goes to desperate lengths to try and finally find the person who attacked her.
The troublesome character was hit over the head with a shovel by a mysterious assailant on Christmas Day. When she returned from hospital, Cindy set about trying to find the culprit – but no one has owned up.
It’s led her down many paths and on the journey, she’s made many discoveries about members of the Beale and Knight families but ultimately, hasn’t discovered the truth.
‘She is feeling really isolated’, star Michelle Collins said.
‘Cindy has never really had very many friends, poor woman! At one point she’s thought it could have been any of them, but I really don’t think she knows.
‘The scary thing for Cindy is that she knows it’s somebody very close to her, and that’s very frightening that someone could hate her so much that they would want her dead.
‘She really is completely and utterly paranoid and running scared.’
As the anniversary week kicks off, Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and Cindy have a huge row at the café after a revelation from Priya (Sophie Khan Levy). Later, Cindy interrupts wedding celebrations at the pub because she wants to make a shocking accusation about her attacker.
Face-to-face with the person she ultimately believes wielded the shovel, Cindy confronts them, leaving the wedding guests utterly stunned.
As night falls though, Cindy catches one of the suspects in a compromising position and points a gun at them.
Armed and dangerous, Cindy has a showdown with the person in possession of her missing locket. However, as the confrontation continues, a twist turns the situation upside down.
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here’s what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
Is this the moment she finally discovers who attacked her on Christmas night?
‘Yes, I was’, Michelle said, describing her shock as she learnt who attacked her character.
‘I actually thought I knew who it was, but I can see why they’ve done it. There are going to be some great scenes when she finds out who it is.’
