Alfie backed to be Derek’s killer in Eastenders Xmas plot

Derek Branning has certainly rubbed at least a dozen people up the wrong way in the last year on Eastenders and following confirmation that he will be killed off as part of the Xmas special, a whodunit is sure to arise over his murderer.

Christmas’ never seem to be that much fun on Albert Square, with doctor Yusef Khan attempting to burn down the B&B last year, Stacey Slater killing Archie Mitchell in 2009 and Pauline Fowler being written out the soap in 2006.

The Branning clan are expected to be heavily involved in numerous plots this year and it is Alfie Moon that has been backed into 7/2 from 7/1 to be Derek’s killer.

It is widely assumed that Derek will be exposed as the man to have an affair with Alfie’s wife Kat and this is clear motive.

The punters were right when backing Carl King to be the surprise death in fellow soap Emmerdale recently, but this plot of Alfie as the killer seems a little obvious.

Derek’s brothers Max and Jack are also prominent in the betting at 8/1.

Another much-mooted Christmas storyline is that Derek may be unveiled as the unexpected father of Lauren Branning, currently believed to be the daughter of Max and Tanya Cross.

There has been continuous animosity between Derek and Tanya since his arrival on the Square last November and this is a possible reason for their relationship.

Tanya is also known to be taking a few months away from Eastenders early next year and so 14/1 may be worth a punt that she is the killer.

Lauren is also set to begin a relationship with Derek’s son Joey, despite the fact they are cousins.

If they are found to be closer than this, Joey may snap and he has no love lost for his father after never being around when he was younger.

Joey is 12/1 to be the killer and has to be considered among the chief suspects.

Full market
Alfie Moon 7/2
Max Branning 8/1
Billy Mitchell 8/1
Jack Branning 8/1
Phil Mitchell 10/1
Cora Cross 10/1
Michael Moon 10/1
Christian Clarke10/1
Kat Moon 12/1
Joey Branning 12/1
Lauren Branning 12/1
Tanya Cross 14/1
Ian Beale 14/1
Roxy Mitchell 16/1
Whitney Dean 16/1
Jay Brown 16/1
Syed Masood 20/1
Masood Ahmed 20/1
Lucy Beale 20/1
Zainab Khan 33/1
Ray Dixon 33/1
Shirley Carter 33/1
Mo Harris 33/1
A J Ahmed 33/1
Fatboy 33/1
Lola Pearce 33/1
Denise Fox 50/1
Patrick Trueman 50/1
Sharon Rickman 50/1
Jean Slater 50/1
Tamwar Masood 50/1

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date