EastEnders fans discovered it was Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) who was murdered in the Christmas episode after ten months of grueling speculation.
But soap bosses used a very clever trick to keep the shocking, grisly Christmas death a secret.
In scenes aired last night, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) brutally stabbed Keanu after a huge brawl broke out at the Queen Victoria pub.
But in pictures taken during filming last month, EastEnders bosses ensured scenes involving Keanu were filmed – even though he was killed – so no-one would suspect who was murdered in the thrilling annual Christmas special.
Keanu was photographed entering and exiting an airport amid speculation about whether he might be on the run from his murderer Linda.
EastEnders fans finally found out that Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) was the murdered character after ten long months of speculation
He was also photographed filming alongside Jacqueline Jossa – who will reprise her role as Lauren Branning – in a cemetery.
In last night's explosive episode, fans were completely shocked by the unexpected twist as they didn't expect Keanu to be murdered in the final seconds of the episode.
On X – formerly known as Twitter – fans shared their disbelief, writing: “I'm still in shock wondering what Nish will do.”
“I'm still in shock!” All my theories went out the window! What a fantastic episode. #TheSix will always be an icon. I'm excited to see what happens next, but we can't lose Linda;'
“I can't believe Keanu died, I'm actually still in shock #EastEnders;” “I'm shocked about this episode of EastEnders.”
While some fans are convinced they've discovered another twist that could lead to suspicions that Keanu isn't actually dead, they'll have to wait and see if their speculation is correct in tonight's episode.
The BBC soap made history with an episode in February when it gave a teaser but kept the identity of the body and killer secret.
The wait was finally over for viewers as the murder victim and killer were revealed on Christmas Day in shocking scenes with a completely unexpected twist.
But soap bosses used a very clever trick to keep the shocking, grisly Christmas murder a secret
In pictures taken during filming last month, EastEnders bosses made sure to film scenes with Keanu – even though he is dead – so no one suspects who was murdered in the thrilling annual Christmas special
Keanu was photographed filming from an airport to speculate about a possible escape from his murderer Linda
He was also photographed filming alongside Jacqueline Jossa – who will reprise her role as Lauren Branning – in a cemetery
The pair were spotted chatting in a cemetery, dressed in black ensembles – trying to convince fans that Keanu wasn't murdered
The episode came to an explosive end when Denise Fox (Diane Parish) was seen hitting Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) on the head with a bottle as she tried to protect his wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal) from his abuse – but everything was not as it seemed.
Although it initially appeared that Nish was dead, Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) stormed into the pub at the Queen Victoria and, upon seeing Nish's body, got into an argument with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) after her wedding due to his attempted kidnapping son Albie was revealed.
Although Nish was apparently revealed to be a murder victim, Keanu attempted to strangle Sharon when she told him that if he said anything about Nish's apparent death, she would send him to prison for his attempted kidnapping of Albie.
In a completely unexpected twist, Linda then grabbed a knife and stabbed Keanu in the back to save Sharon's life. In the final moments of the episode, Suki was seen reviving her abusive husband Nish.
Fans also shared their fears for fan-favorite character Linda and expressed concern about her fate after the murder.
The BBC soap opera ensured fans were kept guessing until the big twist as a whole host of deceptions were uncovered in the bombshell festive show.
In the lead-up to the murder, Sharon and Keanu's wedding was thrown into chaos when two huge bombs landed on the big day.
Although Nish Panesar was first shot in the head by Denise Fox, it was Keanu Taylor who was revealed to be the murder victim when he was stabbed by Linda Carter in a huge twist
Fans were completely shocked by the unexpected twist as they did not expect Keanu to be murdered and Nish to be saved by Suki in the final seconds of the episode
The BBC soap made history with an episode in February when it announced a flash-forward but kept the identity of the body and killer secret
Sharon's ex Phil (Steve McFadden) was the first to crash the wedding along with Keanu's sister Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) when they told Sharon that he was involved in Albie's kidnapping attempt.
Phil stormed into the church screaming, 'Don't do it.' It was him, he was behind Albie's kidnapping.'
To which Keanu replied: “He's just jealous, ignore him.” “I'm your brother, don't do that.”
But Keanu's sister Bernie also turned against him, shouting: “You've turned your back on us, we're not good enough for you. 'You can't lie all your life.'
Shocked by the news, Sharon lashed out at her future husband, punching him while he was standing at the altar.
After he left the altar, Sharon said, “The day he went missing, you were the only person who understood me and gave me some comfort. 'How could you do that!'
Keanu replied: “It wasn't planned but you wanted to take him with you and I knew we could be a family together and I love you.”
Sharon revealed jaws dropped for the second time when she revealed to Keanu: “You threw your own mother under the bus.” Albie isn't yours, you're not his father and thank God he doesn't have your stealth genes. He belongs to Phil!'
The BBC soap opera ensured fans were kept guessing until the big twist as a whole host of deceptions were uncovered in the bombshell festive show
It initially appeared Nish would meet a violent end when Denise Fox hit him with a bottle as he tried to drag his wife Suki out of the Queen Victoria
Just as she revealed who her son's father really is, Phil walked in looking completely stunned by the news.
He said: He's what… Albie's mine. Is that true?' To which Sharon replied: “It's true, I found out a few months ago.”
The wedding proved more eventful than expected as Walford's leading ladies – Stacey (Lacey Turner), Suki, Linda, Denise and Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) – joined Sharon and headed to the Vic to process the day's events .
The six women have all suffered injustice at the hands of men in their lives, leaving EastEnders fans guessing all year as to who the victim was.
Some EastEnders viewers had ruled out Phil Mitchell and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) as they felt they hadn't caused as much trouble as the other men on the pitch.
Despite cheating on their partners, Nish and Ravi (Aaron Thiara) are murderers, while Keanu (Danny Walters) planned to kidnap his son Albie, Dean (Matt Di Angelo) raped Linda and Tom “Rocky” Cotton (Brian Conley) did did have a gambling problem.
As the girls enjoyed a drink, Phil walked determinedly to the Queen Vic and told Sharon he wanted to meet Albie because “family means everything”, but she told him he wouldn't “mess up” their boy's life.
Elsewhere, Suki managed to escape abusive husband Nish, and in another big reveal, she opened up to the other women about her long-standing affair with Eve.
Denise looked horrified as Nish fell to the ground, seemingly lifeless, as Sharon went over to check his pulse and declared he had died
Although it initially appeared as if Denise had killed Nish, he was seen resurrected in the final moments of the episode in a very unexpected turn of events
Keanu stormed in, saw Nish's body and then tried to strangle Sharon Watts when she threatened to send him to prison for his attempted kidnapping of Albie if he said anything
She told the group of women who gathered in the pub to support her: “Me and Eve, that's us. We're in love.”
Shocked, the other women all showed their support for Suki and tried to convince her not to escape. They insisted her abusive husband should be the one to go as they urged her to invite him to the pub for a showdown.
Nish accepted Suki's invitation to talk, stormed into the pub and said, “Merry Christmas ladies, what a pleasant surprise Suki.” If you'll excuse us, this is a private matter. Get your coat. Come on.'
Suki interrupted her husband and told him that she was “leaving him” and “wanted him out of her house” while the other women all stood there in support.
Nish got angry and said, “Where is Eve?” Then did you come to your senses or did she actually brainwash you? Do you think I'll listen to you much?
The women all stood up for Suki and said, “What are you going to do? We are all witnesses.” “Crawl back under your rock, she doesn't want to be your wife.”
Trying a different approach, Nish began begging Suki to stay, saying that he “needs” her and that he “loves” her so much.
However, Suki had enough and turned away, prompting him to grab her and attempt to forcibly drag her out of the pub, breaking out a violent fight.
Not knowing what to do, Denise grabbed a champagne bottle from the side and hit Nish on the head, causing him to fall seemingly lifeless to the ground.
Everyone looked around in complete shock as Sharon walked over to take his pulse and declared, “He's dead!”
The other ladies shouted, “Check it again.” Call an ambulance,” while everyone was awake.
Suki rushed over and began chest compressions while saying, “You're not just getting this out, no!”
Just as the drama was unfolding, Keanu entered the Queen Vic, saw Rish dead on the floor and shouted at Sharon.
Linda saved Sharon's life by taking a knife from his side and violently stabbing him in the back in a shocking twist when it emerged at the last minute that Keanu was the murder victim
Fans shared their fears for fan-favorite character Linda and their concerns about her fate after the murder
He said: “You just killed a man, where is Albie?” “You just killed someone, you're going to prison” before running off and trying to take the child away from her.
She replied: “You screwed over your own family and I swear to God you will never see Albie again, he is not your son.”
As she said those last words, Keanu grabbed her by the throat and began strangling her while the other women screamed at him.
Linda saved Sharon's life by taking a knife from his side and, in a shocking twist, violently stabbing him in the back.
Keanu stumbled backwards in pain and quickly fell to his knees, dead.
As Keanu fell to the ground, Nish could be seen taking a single breath while Suki gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation – his fate seemingly saved.
Suki ran into the room screaming “He's alive” while resuscitating her husband Nish, only to see Keanu's body with a knife in his back.