EastEnders to reveal Lucy Beale's killer tonight: The prime suspects

Lucy Beale's killer will be revealed in tonight's episode. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

The mystery over who killed Lucy Beale will be revealed to EastEnders fans tonight as the soap celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Viewers have been waiting almost a year for the killer to be unmasked after Lucy's body was found fully-clothed on Walford Common and the BBC soap's long-running whodunnit began.

So... who killed Lucy Beale? All is finally revealed tonight. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Currently there are 13 potential suspects that the show has implied may be linked to the programme's popular murder mystery, including her lover Max Branning and her father Ian Beale.

But fans of the show are still in the dark over who the 20-year-old's killer was with the only hint dropped in last night's show being from Lucy's brother Peter who told his father and stepmother at the end of the episode: "Lucy was killed in this house, it was one of you."

The murderer will be revealed in a part-live show later today with the aftermath of the revelations screened tomorrow night in a fully live episode.

Here are the key suspects:

  • Abi Branning

Abi Branning has come a long way since entering the Square. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) is the daughter of Max, who had been having an affair with the victim Lucy.

When police officer Emma Summerhayes, who mysteriously ended up in a coma after identifying Lucy's killer, contacted the murderer - Abi was one of the people shown checking their phone at that moment.

After Max's shocking "You killed Lucy" revelation on Tuesday night, Abi later said she hadn't been the one who did it ... but that she wished she had.

  • Ian Beale

Does Ian Beale have a guilty conscience? Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Lucy's father Ian (Adam Woodyatt) was disturbed by how his wayward teenage daughter had been behaving.

Just before she died he discovered that she had been using cocaine.

He's been a nervous wreck since her death - is he just a loving father or does he have a guilty conscience?

  • Cindy Williams

Half-sister Cindy Williams has always been jealous of Lucy. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Lucy's half-sister Cindy (Mimi Keene) was jealous of her relationship with their father Ian.

When Emma Summerhayes contacted the killer, Cindy was also shown checking her phone.

Could the pregnant teen have moved the body from the Beale house if Lucy actually was killed there?

  • Peter Beale

Twin brother Peter Beale knew Lucy was their dad's favourite. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Peter (Ben Hardy) has always had a tense relationship with his twin sister Lucy and jealousy often reared its ugly head.

Before her death Peter overheard their father Ian telling Lucy she was his favourite child. Peter had also supplied Lucy with cocaine.

But how jealous was Peter of his sister? Enough to kill her?

  • Max Branning

Max Branning had been having an affair with Lucy. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Max (Jake Wood) was having an affair with Lucy and had turned violent when she broke it off.

He claims he was at home with daughter Abi at the time, and then went to walk his dog.

Max has lied before ... is he doing it again?

  • Whitney Dean

Whitney Dean had been bullied by Lucy online. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Troubled Whitney (Shona McGarty) had argued with the victim shortly before her death after discovering Lucy had slept with Lee Carter.

She and Lucy had been exchanging bullying messages online and Whitney hacked into Lucy's laptop after her death to delete them.

Whitney says she was walking alone at the time of the murder.

  • Lee Carter

Lee Carter had a fling with Lucy but then found out she had an affair with Max. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) had a fling with Lucy just before she died and recently found out she had been having an affair with Max Branning.

He claimed he had been at the Mitchell's house party all night when the murder happened, but later admitted to seeing Lucy arguing with Billy Mitchell.

He was questioned by police but then gave them a video of Lauren Branning outside Lucy's house.

What that just to throw the police off the scent?

  • Jane Beale

Was the timing of Jane Beale's return to Albert Square suspicious? Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Jane (Laurie Brett) has no known motive for the murder, but she has been acting suspiciously ever since Lucy was killed.

It's no secret she and Lucy never got on and her initial refusal to attend the funeral aroused some suspicion.

With Peter Beale's revelation that Lucy was killed by Ian or Jane... did Jane do it?

  • Ben Mitchell

No known motive, but Ben Mitchell did kill Heather Trott so he has form. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Ben (Harry Reid) has no known motive, but he has a previous conviction after serving time for killing Heather Trott.

He and Jay Brown had Lucy's mobile phone and wallet with them when she died and buried them in case it was used as evidence against them.

When Emma Summerhayes contacted the killer in the New Year's Day episode Ben was one of the people shown checking their phone.

  • Denise Fox

Denise Fox has revealed her sinister side more recently. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Denise (Diane Parish) was engaged to Lucy's father Ian at the time of her death and they had a difficult relationship.

She has been acting strangely since and handed in Lucy's phone and wallet after "finding" it buried at the allotment.

Denise was another one of the people who checked their phone the night Emma Summerhayes was shown contacting the killer.

After revealing her sinister side could she be capable of murder?

  • Pam Coker

Pam Coker confessed to Billy Mitchell she has killed someone. Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Pam (Lin Blakley) has confessed to Billy Mitchell that she has killed someone - but was it Lucy?

After acting nervously around Emma Summerhayes she claims to have been at home with her husband.

Is someone giving their partner an alibi?

  • Les Coker

Did Les Coker kill Lucy to boost his funeral business? Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Les (Roger Sloman) is a funeral director, married to Pam and has shown himself to be rather shifty.

Emma Summerhayes hinted he may have killed Lucy to boost his funeral business.

When Emma contacted the killer, Les was also one of the people shown checking their phone.

  • Jay Brown

Why has Jay Brown been acting so guilty since her murder? Credit: BBC One/EastEnders

Jay (Jamie Borthwick) was on a bus at the same time as Lucy on the night of the murder.

When police said they were looking for a someone wearing a beanie hat, Jay burned his.

He also helped Ben Mitchell bury Lucy's phone and wallet which they had with them when she was found dead.

Why has Jay been acting so guilty since her murder?