Main content

One resident is charged for the murder of Lucy Beale - but who is it? Two residents prepare to leave Walford, but will all go to plan?

Ian feels all eyes on him as he walks through the market. Stacey’s irked when Martin speculates the police wouldn’t have kept Max in overnight for no reason. At the Butchers’, shell-shocked Carol doesn’t understand why Max had blood on his shoes. At the Beales’, Bobby pesters to go into town for a new computer game but Ian wants everyone at home. Sonia explains Carol’s not coming to work and reveals the police think they’ve found Lucy’s blood on Max’s shoes.

Ian rings Keeble and packs Bobby off to town after all. At the police station, Bryant confirms the blood is Lucy’s. Max recalls Lucy had a nosebleed when Jake accidentally hit her but Bryant formally charges Max with murder. Phil barges into the Beales’ as Keeble’s revealing Max has been charged and will appear in court that afternoon. Phil insists on accompanying Ian to court. Jane begs him not to go but Ian thinks he has no choice. Stacey’s shocked to hear Max has been charged.

In court, Phil urges uneasy Ian to look Max straight in the eye. Stacey slips into court as the magistrate explains Max will be sent to Walford Crown Court and won’t be granted bail. Max protests his innocence and calls out to Ian as he’s led away. Ian’s wracked with guilt as Abi apologises for what Max did. Stacey thinks Abi needn’t apologise as Max is innocent. Abi coldly declares Stacey should accept Max’s guilt. Ian’s worried for Abi but Phil advises him to look after his own family. Later, Ian calls in at the Butchers’ and promises Carol she still has her job. Carol’s surprised given she’s been defending Max but Ian understands - you do what you have to for family. Back home, Bobby’s playing his new computer game and enthusing about being a games designer when he grows up. Ian forces a smile and joins him for a game. Meanwhile, Max phones Stacey asking for help - he didn’t kill Lucy but he knows who did…

Sharon urges Phil to talk to Ben. At the Arches, Phil protests he thought he was doing the right thing handing Lucy’s belongings to the police and claims he worked on Abi to tell the truth about Max because he refused to give up on Ben. Ben scoffs that Phil sold him out. Phil admits he thought Ben killed Lucy but now knows he was wrong. Ben gets upset – Phil knew what going back to prison would do to him. Phil explains sometimes he doesn’t understand Ben and it scares him. Ben insists Phil can never make things right but Phil’s determined to try. Abi suggests Ben forgive Phil. Ben scoffs that Abi thinks Phil considers her family but then, on seeing she’s hurt, assures her she’s 100% Mitchell. Later, after hearing of Max’s formal murder charge, Abi wants to go to court; there’s a slight thawing when Phil suggests going as a family. After court, Paul approaches Ben in the Vic but he shrugs him off.

Billy finds Lola, Jay and Lexi at home, having returned for Lexi’s things before their train. Billy begs Lola not to go to Newcastle. She remains resolute but agrees Billy can fetch Janet to say goodbye. Outside, Billy makes a phone call – he has information about Jay Brown… He watches as a police car pulls up outside the flat and Marsden arrests Jay on suspicion of robbery. The penny drops for Jay and he calls furiously for Billy as he’s led to the police car. Billy comforts a devastated Lola who questions where Janet is; deducing Billy called the police, Lola flees with Lexi. Billy pursues them to the tube station, pleading he couldn’t bear to lose them. Lola resolves to leave anyway, declaring she still has Dexter in Newcastle. In tears, Billy apologises profusely and begs her forgiveness. Lola softens but wants Billy to be happy for her - Newcastle could be her chance to shine. Heartbroken, Billy hugs Lola goodbye and lets her go.

Paul finds Claudette waiting for him in Blades; she berates him for lying to Vincent about her relationship with Les. Paul scoffs as Claudette maintains Les genuinely came round to put up shelves. Paul insists he doesn’t want Pam hurt. Claudette agrees but refuses to stay away from her.

Available now

30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

  • Arctic Monkeys

    Snap Out Of It

  • LunchMoney Lewis

    Bills

  • Paloma Faith

    Ready For The Good Life

  • Roots Manuva

    Buff Nuff

  • Ava Leigh

    La La La

  • Tinie Tempah & Jess Glynne

    Not Letting Go

  • HAIM

    Forever

  • Echo & the Bunnymen

    The Killing Moon

  • Ella Henderson

    Yours

Credits

Role Contributor
Stacey Branning Lacey Turner
Martin Fowler James Bye
Sonia Fowler Natalie Cassidy
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Max Branning Jake Wood
Abi Branning Lorna Fitzgerald
Ben Mitchell Harry Reid
Jay Brown Jamie Borthwick
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Sharon Mitchell Letitia Dean
Billy Mitchell Perry Fenwick
Lola Pearce Danielle Harold
Cindy Williams Mimi Keene
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Jane Beale Laurie Brett
Paul Coker Jonny Labey
Pam Coker Lin Blakley
Claudette Hubbard Ellen Thomas
Donna Yates Lisa Hammond
Bex Fowler Jasmine Armfield
Bobby Beale Eliot Carrington
DI Samantha Keeble Alison Newman
DS Cameron Bryant Glen Wallace
Jamil Choudry Neil D'Souza
Clerk of the Court James Chalmers
Magistrate Beryl Todd Mary Ryder
DCI Jill Marsden Sophie Stanton
Writer Richard Davidson
Director Ian White
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Broadcasts