There is always drama in EastEnders at Christmas time and this year could see the most explosive storyline to date as a terrorist bomb is reportedly set to be planted in Albert Square.
The dramatic plot is being planned in a bid to bring viewers back to the long-running soap after a recent slump in figures.
The BBC bosses are said to be planning the huge scenes which will put many of the famous characters' lives at risk.
A source has said that the writers are under extreme pressure to make this year's festive showings a success.
Speaking to The Sun, the source said: "With the battle for ratings harder than ever, bosses are really keen to pull out the big guns for an explosive 2021 — in this case, quite literally. Scripts have been written focused around a bomb being planted in Albert Square — no one will be safe."
They added: "Bosses are staying tight-lipped about exactly what they have coming up for Christmas this year, but they are pulling out all the stops.
"With secrets plotted all over the Square, it’s only right and in typical EastEnders style that many of these look set to be exposed around the festivities.
"Put it this way, if you lived in Albert Square, you’d be grateful to receive just a pair of socks this year."
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The Mirror has contacted BBC representatives for comment.
There have been a number of dark plots filling the Albert Square storylines over the past few months, including a fire destroying Phil Mitchell's home as Janine Butcher had to try to save her eight-year-old daughter Scarlett.
There was also distressing scenes as Nancy Carter was hit by a car.
The thoughts of a bomb storyline aren't new to producers of the show. Back in the '80s there was reportedly discussions about the inclusion of an IRA bomb plot in Walford, but the idea didn't come to fruition.
Other soaps have ran with a bomb storyline previously, with rivals Hollyoaks airing a right-wing terror plot in 2019. It saw Kieron Richardson's character Ste Hay groomed by extremists in the Chester village.
One person who will avoid the bomb threat will be Tiffany Butcher after the actress who plays her, Maisie Smith, filmed her last scenes last week.
The child star, now 20, has spent 13 years with the soap but has now quit to pursue her dream of landing a Hollywood role after being inspired by co-stars Ben Hardy and Himesh Patel.