The EastEnders Christmas episode has been praised by viewers

The episode may have aired on Christmas Day but it certainly wasn't a festive watch.

Airing in a later-than-usual slot, the episode was full of tense and violent scenes, with two characters' lives put at risk.

Fans are now hailing it as the best Christmas episode the show has had in years.

One fan wrote: "What a thrilling episode. I still can't get over it."

Another added: "Christmas 2023 will go down as one of the best Christmas episodes in EastEnders history."

"Me, hubby, and teens flipping glued to tonight's episode!! Even though hubby hates it. We were all screaming at the TV. What a twist! Well done Eastenders," another said.

One added: "I can't speak for once am speechless."

Last night's episode finally confirmed what character was killed after months of teasing the storyline.

In February, a flash-forward scene revealed that one man would be killed off in the Christmas Day episode. However, the team behind the soap managed to keep the storyline under wraps until last night.

The Six - Denise, Kathy, Linda, Sharon, Stacey, and Suki - were all in the pub on the night of the murder.

The tense episode saw Sharon reveal the true identity of her baby, she and Keanu call off their wedding, and two characters attacked in the Queen Vic, but will they survive?

Denise hit Nish Panesar over the head with a bottle, leaving him unconscious on the pub floor.

Linda then stabbed Keanu Taylor in the back after he tried to strangle Sharon to death, revealing her as the killer.

Tonight's episode promises to be just as intense and exciting with the show airing at 8.25 pm on BBC 1.

READ MORE:

• Fans are only now spotting this fun detail in ‘The Santa Clause’ almost 30 years later
• Here are all of ‘The Office’ Christmas episodes
• The heartbreaking Love Actually scene that still makes Emma Thompson cry