Lucy Beale's killer to be revealed in live EastEnders special

Hetti Bywater played Lucy Beale in EastEnders. Credit: BBC

Lucy Beale's killer will be revealed live on air during a special week of EastEnders episodes to mark the soap's 30th anniversary.

It means show bosses can keep the murderer's identity a secret from cast and crew until the last minute before they are unmasked in February.

The anniversary of the BBC soap will include one 30-minute live episode and "live elements" in the other episodes.

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore said:

Viewers have watched as suspicion has fallen on several different characters since Lucy's (Hetti Bywater) murder in April, with the identity of the killer still a mystery.

The long-running soap marked its 25th anniversary in 2009 with its first ever live episode when it was revealed Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) had murdered Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb).

BBC drama boss Ben Stephenson said:

The live week starts on Monday February 16.