EastEnders’ Cindy Beale and Elaine Knight go into battle next week, as their tense business rivalry leads to fireworks. But as juicy bombshells are revealed, has Elaine pushed George back to his ex-wife?

With Cindy still trying to get her family back on side, George reaches out to his former flame, but Elaine fumes at his offer to help.

Meanwhile, Cindy prepares to relaunch The Albert – the business she snatched from Kathy – but with ticket sales low and Gina and Anna refusing to show their faces, it’s an event that seems doomed to fail.

“Cindy joins forces with Felix and Freddie to put on an elaborate show in the Square to get people talking about the new era of the bar,” reveals our Walford insider.

Related: Best streaming services

“But even the glamour of Felix’s drag alter ego Tara Misu is overshadowed when a dramatic argument breaks out between Cindy and Elaine.”

While George tries to play peacemaker, Elaine decides to sabotage Cindy’s relaunch by holding a rival karaoke night in The Vic. Cindy’s stressful day then goes from bad to worse when her workers go on strike as they haven’t been paid.

George steps in to help once again – and while Gina is horrified to spot her estranged parents together, she eventually agrees to lend a hand.

Related: EastEnders star Diane Parish confirms Denise’s future after Jack and Ravi fan vote

Meanwhile, Elaine’s revenge plan hugely backfires, as her last-minute karaoke night is a failure, while Cindy’s party is a massive hit with the locals. Changing tact, Elaine rocks up at The Albert to irritate her archenemy, but Cindy uses her arrival to expose a big secret.

“Cindy gleefully confesses that George helped to make the night a success,” says our source, “and that he even paid for additional staff to save the event. Elaine sees red and causes a scene, furious that her husband has secretly conspired with his flirtatious ex.”

Devastated Elaine returns to The Vic and hides out in the barrel store to gather her thoughts. George rushes after her to explain, but Elaine is in no mood to hear him out and continues to lash out.

Needing space from his wife, George returns to The Albert to apologise to Cindy and to celebrate her brilliant night. Will Cindy manage to tempt him back, and will George stray from Elaine?