❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

EastEnders confirms violent character death and airs iconic character return in early BBC iPlayer release

Warning: Contains spoilers for Thursday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One, or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.

Silhouettes of Craig Ingram and Janine Carter in front of the Queen Victoria in EastEnders

BBC/Radio Times

Published: Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 6:30 am

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

A dramatic end to the week in EastEnders has seen one character die - and an old face return.

Ad

The death was, of course, groomer Craig Ingram (Matthew James-Bailey), who was whacked across the head with a candlestick in the conclusion of last night's episode.

Victim Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) stood over his lifeless body. With blood pouring across the floor, it was clear that he had perished and she scarpered back to Albert Square.

At No. 27, an audience of concerned friends and family were stunned to see her walk through the door. Dad Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) noticed the bruise on her face, and, as he tried to approach her, she rushed upstairs.

In her bedroom, she studied the bruises on her face and arms, before finally returning downstairs to her family. Jack and step-mum Denise Fox (Diane Parish) struggled to make a breakthrough, and allowed Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) to stick around and watch a film in the hope that he could get answers.

Craig holds a phone in Amy's face in a scene from EastEnders

Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell and Matthew James-Bailey as Craig Ingram. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

One thing that Amy wanted to know was whether Sean trusted the police. She knew that it was only going to be a matter of time before they called by and began asking questions about Craig's death.

He said that he'd learnt not to trust anyone - just as the police arrived. They wanted her to recall her final moments with Craig, before she managed to escape his clutches.

Amy said that she'd unlocked the bedroom door and ran away, not turning back to see whether he was chasing after her.

Will the police realise she's lying?

Elsewhere in Walford, with tensions running high for the Carter clan, Max Branning (Scott Maslen) tried to make a breakthrough with Nancy (Maddy Hill).

He hoped that she'd be able to see his point of view better than her mum Linda (Kellie Bright), but upon hearing criticism about her alcoholic brother Lee (Danny Hatchard), she warned him to stay well out of her family's business.

With nobody else left to turn to, he confides in daughter Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) about his fears that he'd never be enough for Linda. She would always compare him to "Saint Mick", her late husband, and he could never compare. She urged her dad to keep fighting for what he wanted.

Lauren and Max have a chat in her kitchen in a scene from EastEnders

Jake Wood as Max Branning and Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Father and daughter then walked out into the Square to watch a fireworks display. As Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) smooched Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) in the gardens, the Carters watched on - having called a truce from their earlier disagreement.

Seeing how happy everyone was, Max reaffirmed his desire to make Linda forget "that Mick Carter ever existed".

But will that be possible? In a dingy office, Janine Carter (Charlie Brooks) staged a cryptic return, seeming to be in a serious meeting with an unknown man.

Charlie Brooks as Janine Carter, smirking, for EastEnders.

Charlie Brooks as Janine Carter. BBC

He handed her a brown envelope, declaring that its contents were "perfect", before sliding it back across the desk to him.

What does the envelope contain, and what could it mean for the residents of Albert Square?

And most importantly, why is Janine involved?

Read more:

Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Michael Adams wearing a white t-shirt and beige gilet against a white background

Michael AdamsSoaps Editor

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...