11:58 15 October 2009
BBC soap EastEnders' Christmas murder plot has been leaked.
Walford's resident villain Archie Mitchell is to be killed off over the festive season, sparking another murder mystery.
The Albert Square schemer, played by veteran star Larry Lamb, will meet a bloody end in the Queen Vic pub.
His demise comes after plotting to take over the pub with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) for months.
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is expected to emerge as the prime suspect in the case, especially after he was witnessed threatening Archie over his treatment of Peggy (Barbara Windsor).
Archie's co-conspirator Janine is also being tipped as a likely perpetrator. And she's killed before - taking out her husband Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) in a memorable 2004 plotline.
Meanwhile, two more suspects in the fractured Mitchell family emerge. Mitchell sisters Roxy (Rita Simons) and Ronnie (Samantha Womack) have disowned their father due to his relentlessly roguish ways.
A source told The Sun: "Since Archie first arrived in Walford he's managed to lie, cheat and manipulate everyone around him.
"Over the next few months he is set to get even worse - so it's fair to say he's made enemies of enough people who'll be glad to see the back of him."
Lamb joined the soap in March 2008 and his character quickly caused waves among the Walford community.