EastEnders kicked off the celebrations of its 40th-anniversary week in dramatic fashion, with Cindy Beale potentially deducing the identity of her attacker.

The character was violently attacked on Christmas Day by an unknown assailant after being hit on the head with a shovel, with suspicion falling on various residents of Walford as they all had a motive for the crime.

Monday’s (February 17) episode began during the preparations for Billy and Honey Mitchell’s wedding, with Cindy coldly walking past Ian outside the Vic. He later confidently proclaimed that “nothing would beat the Beales” as he attempted to turn the tables on his estranged wife.

He headed to the café to interrupt Cindy and Priya Nandra-Hart’s meeting, promising to double the latter’s money if she told him what they were up to. Priya confirmed that she was getting close to him on behalf of Cindy, with the aim of discovering if he had attacked his wife.

After Ian smugly told Cindy to leave Walford, she attempted to break into the family home in search of the locket, though her plan was foiled by Gina Knight who remarked that it “wasn’t her home any more.”

As the celebrations continued at The Vic, Cindy arrived once more to accuse Ian of the attack, saying she was “repulsed” by him during the marriage. The room was unmoved, however, with Cindy being ushered out.

Fearing for her safety, Cindy enlisted the help of a disconsolate Phil Mitchell in acquiring a gun, declaring that she needed it for protection. Ian, who was still pondering who could be the culprit, asked his grandson Louie where his son Peter was, though the youngster said he “hadn’t seen him for ages.”

Cindy stole the gun from Phil’s safe before heading to the family home, where she proclaimed “You!” as she pointed the weapon at someone holding the locket. Who is staring down the barrel?…