EastEnders teased a possible exit for Kheerat Panesar on Wednesday night, leaving fans worried.
The character considered taking the blame for a crime he did not commit, in order to save his mum Suki from prison.
Suki was arrested this week as the prime suspect in Ranveer Gulati's murder - after his body was found by police.
Ravi Gulati is the real killer, but he and his previously secret lover Nina, Ranveer's widow, covered it up and set up Suki for the crime.
They even have video evidence of the moment Suki attacked Ranveer, after he sexually assaulted her – while evidence of Ravi later killing his "dad" was wiped.
Ravi has since had a change of heart though, following the Panesars learning Ravi is Nish's son, not Ranveer's.
He ended up telling the family everything, apart from the fact he is the real killer, and decided he wanted to be a part of their lives.
Ravi also claimed that Nina's confession that he was the real killer was just a plan to frame him – something that hasn't been challenged for now.
In the latest episode it seemed there was nothing that could be done to help Suki, until Kheerat had an idea.
Meeting up with Suki's secret love Eve Unwin, Kheerat praised his mum for always being there for him and the family as they grew up.
He then said: "She's my mum and she doesn’t deserve this. They’ve got a laptop that could show her killing him.
"So I didn't come here to deliver you a letter Eve, I came here to ask you a question. If I confess to killing Ranveer, will my mum walk away free?"
The episode ended there, but fans are now convinced this could be an exit for the character.
Taking to Twitter, one fan said: "Stacey lost Bradley cos he literally took the fall to save her after Archie. She can't lose Kheerat too seriously."
Another tweeted: "KHEERAT NOOOO," as a third added: "Kheerat is definitely leaving i can’t do this."
It comes amid Ash Panesar actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha teasing "explosive" scenes ahead for the family, as she spoke exclusively to The Mirror.
She told us: "There's good stuff coming up between them [Kheerat and Ravi] and I think it's a really interesting dynamic, and whether hate turns to love or stays as hate.
"It will be interesting to see but there are good things coming up for those two!"
On whether Ash will accept Ravi into the family, she went on: "I think Ash has always been wary of Ravi and his intentions.
"But to find out that he's a part of the family I think she will welcome him. She is a very family orientated person. She hasn't got a mean streak. We have seen mean streaks but it has always been through protection, she loves her family.
"So I think she'll be glad to welcome someone into the fold, and will be protective of him."
Gurlaine also revealed how Ash would react to Suki's killer secret, saying: "I think she's very headstrong and morally right, but when it comes to family she is there for them.
"So I think her number one priority will be trying to understand why her mum has done this and what she has done.
"When she does find out what the reason is, I think she'll be very supportive, loving and caring, so I think it will be a battle for her of what is morally right, and what her mum has been through, so it will be interesting to see."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
