25 years since 'Who Shot Phil?': EastEnders' best ever whodunnits

The famous 'whodunnit' has become a soap staple, allowing fans to share their theories over a long-running storyline.

Mostly, this involves a murder or an act of savage violence; but as we delved into EastEnders' archives, we couldn't ignore those versions that were more scandalous than fatal.

It's 25 years this month since Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) was almost fatally shot down by a mystery assailant, who was hiding among the bushes in the Albert Square community garden.

Over 19.8 million viewers tuned in to find out who would try and kill the beloved Walford resident, with his girlfriend Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin) revealed to be the culprit. The reception was huge, and stretched way beyond the BBC soap's everyday audience.

Not only did The National Grid report that the episode received the (then) third highest power surge on record, but the kick-off of a UEFA Cup semi-final football game between Liverpool and Barcelona was delayed by 15 minutes to allow for the extended episode.

So, join Radio Times as we rank the very best 'whodunnit' plots from across the decades.

Best ever EastEnders whodunnits – From who shot Phil to who killed Archie?

10. Who's sleeping with Kat?

Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) cheating on soulmate Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) in the first place was already a bad start to this plot. It just simply wouldn't happen.

But as Alfie wondered which Branning brother was her lover, Kat pointed to the one we least suspected - the toxic Derek (Jamie Foreman)!

All was eventually forgiven and put right when Alfie and Kat reunited, but this was one 'whodunnit' we really didn't want to know about!

9. Who attacked Cindy Beale?

Just hours after her affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) was exposed by Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa), Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was whacked over the head by a vengeful resident, and collapsed in the snow.

It had all the makings of a classic Christmas, but the reveal of Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) in the show's 40th anniversary episodes was simply bizarre, and soured the mystery somewhat.

There seemed to be no justification for her actions, other than the fact they just didn't see eye to eye.

8. Who fathered Heather's baby?

Again, not your average soap mystery. This time, the much younger Darren Miller (Charlie G Hawkins) fathered baby George with the much older Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison).

Viewers gasped when Darren walked into Heather's hospital room and Heather declared, "George, this is your dad!"

What a moment we didn't see coming in a million years!

7. Who's the father of Michelle's baby?

A genuine shocker during the early days of the soap.

Baby Vicki's paternity was revealed the moment pet pooch Roly came into view, accompanying owner Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) to a clandestine meeting with Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully). In the preceding scenes, a number of potential fathers were lined up.

Vicki's grandmother, Pauline (Wendy Richard), later witnessed Michelle receiving money from Den, who was also the adoptive father of Michelle's best friend Sharon (Letitia Dean).

With Michelle barely aged 16 at the time, we can certainly understand why Den became known as 'Dirty Den'.

A scandalous reveal that, while lacking the violence of other mysteries, simply had to be included on this list.

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6. Who attacked Ian?

Ian had descended into a world of blackmail and secrecy by the time he was attacked in The Queen Vic.

But it was old rival Phil who did the deed, having been instructed to do so by Ian's former friend and, at the time, wife, Sharon!

Sharon was out for blood after discovering Ian had locked her son Denny (Bleu Landau) in a cabin on the pub's party boat, and therefore inadvertently facilitated the teen's death from drowning.

Of course, Ian survived the attempt on his life, but his friendship with Sharon was broken. A rather sad consequence indeed.

5. Who ran over Max?

Years before Lauren repeated history by exposing a scandal on Christmas Day, dad Max's (Jake Wood) numerous affairs and selfish behaviour drove her to do the unthinkable.

While mum Tanya (Jo Joyner) claimed she had been the one to mow Max down in the car, it was actually Lauren who was responsible.

Lauren eventually admitted all, and Max promised Tanya he would protect their daughter, knowing his own actions were truly to blame.

Lauren finally handed herself in to the police and faced punishment, but the underlying narrative here was just how much damage can be done to one family, as the teen found herself pushed to the brink.

4. Who killed Lucy?

It took almost a year to learn that Lucy (Hetti Bywater) was struck over the head by her own younger half-brother Bobby Beale (then Eliot Carrington).

But the special live 30th anniversary week, which saw dad Ian work out the truth, was built with heart and a strong, emotional performance from EastEnders' longest-serving cast member.

With Bobby's adoptive mum Jane (Laurie Brett) covering up how Lucy died, Bobby had to face up to his actions eventually - and crucially, he did.

As an adult, Bobby was tormented by what he had done, but the 10-year arc was brought to a cathartic close as he was reunited with Jane to finally lay Lucy's ghost to rest.

A beautifully delivered plot which shaped the Beales forever.

3. Who shot Phil?

Phil's toxic behaviour was relentless when he was shot (for the first time!) on his own doorstep.

The scene revealing his ex Lisa's guilt was much quieter and more understated, but packed a powerful punch as Phil finally realised the depths of his coercive behaviour.

This is what drove a despairing Lisa to pull the trigger, and McFadden and Benjamin gave the material the sensitivity it deserved.

And let's not forget that this storyline aired before social media, during an era where leaks were far less likely to occur and anticipation less easy to generate.

2. Who dies and who is the Christmas killer (The Six)?

We spent 10 months playing detective thanks to a flash-forward sequence teasing a mystery murderer and victim.

We then watched Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) kill Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) in order to save Sharon.

This wasn't just drama for the sake of drama - Keanu, and multiple men on the Square, had made the lives of The Six a living hell. Bright played out Linda's desperate decision with the perfect amount of hesitancy, right up until the delivery of the fatal wound.

Such a grisly festive cliffhanger may not be what everyone ordered after their turkey, but it sure made for outstanding television and deserves its high rating.

1. Who killed Archie?

In EastEnders' first ever live episode in 2010, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) confessed to killing her rapist Archie (Larry Lamb).

The cliffhanger remains one of the soap's biggest and best ever reveals, which is why it has taken our top spot.

Not only was the pay-off electric, but we were kept guessing for a reasonable, yet not too lengthy, time-frame – and there were multiple alternative endings filmed ahead of the special broadcast.

Brilliantly, the live edition also meant any leaks were avoided, with Turner herself only told the outcome minutes before going live!

A superbly performed story with seamless execution down to the last detail.

Read more:

• 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Penny Branning pregnancy twist as Nicola Mitchell goes into premature labour
• EastEnders confirms Holby City legend cast in pivotal role alongside Zoe Slater's long-lost son for trial storyline
• EastEnders' Max Branning makes reckless move to show commitment to Linda Carter in early BBC iPlayer release

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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