EastEnders fans are convinced they've rumbled a big storyline for 2023 - and the arrival of a brand new couple.
The BBC soap has aired some dramatic scenes in 2022 including the 'death' of Mick Carter and Janine Butcher being sent to prison, Eve and Suki's sweet romance, Jean Slater's biopolar disorder and the downfall of serial killer Gray Atkins. There have been some huge exits and returns this year, including a special tribute episode to the late June Brown, who played Dot Cotton.
There has been storylines which will continue into 2023 including Lola Pearce's brain tumour diagnosis and DCI Keeble's desperation to get one of the Mitchells in prison for their part in the murder of a security guard in the 80s, who was later revealed to be her father.
And it looks like 2023 may be full of even more drama, highs and lows for the residents, with fans of the BBC soap sure they've rumbled a huge storyline going into the New Year after some telling scenes in yesterday's episode.
Fans of the show are convinced they've worked out a brand new couple on the Square in the New Year. Bobby Beale ( Clay Milner Russell ) and Freddie Slater ( Bobby Brazier ) have been very friendly since Freddie appeared on the Square earlier this year. Bobby immediately stepped in to pay his train ticket fine when he was caught jumping the barrier.
Freddie was also helped by Bobby when he tried to get a job, with Bobby giving his pal a job at the chippy. He was also there to support Freddie when he found out that Billy Mitchell wasn't his real father.
However, fans are sure their friendship could soon turn romantic as they spotted clues in the recent episodes where Bobby and Freddie both went to play board games with Jean Slater, before ditching her for a special party they'd struggled to get tickets for.
Taking to an EastEnders forum, one fan suggested: "Are they going down the obvious route here? The vibes seem to be strong and soaps are never subtle," as another added: "Admit I did wonder this myself. They haven’t actually defined Freddie yet and Bobby is the type who you can believe would fall in love easily with anyone who he takes a shine to.
"So it would work realistically if they went down that road."
A third penned: "I think they will go the Bernie/Tiff route with these two," relating to the storyline which saw Bernie Taylor fall for her friend Tiff Butcher, but it wasn't reciprocated, adding: "One of them is going to be into the other but the feelings won’t be returned, perhaps Bobby and it it could look at his religion with sexuality etc."
Whatever happens next year for Bobby and Freddie, it's clearly going to be a huge year for EastEnders in 2023.
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