Who killed Lucy Beale? Eastenders’ answer to Orphan Annie could be a killer

It was through the balding visage of a certain Mr Max Branning that Eastenders taught us to never trust a red-head on the Square, though perennial loser and fellow suspect Ian Beale has also been flying the flag in that respect.

However, ‘Enders may be about to uncover its biggest ginger villain to date in the form of the otherwise forgettable Jay Brown.

Born into poverty, young Jay came to the Square as an orphan, though he was soon reunited with father Jase Dyer.

But just as it seemed as though the plucky youngster with dreams of being a mechanic would be all right, his father was murdered by gangsters in his flat, all while a grief-stricken Billy Mitchell hid in the bathroom next door.

To make matters worse, Jay was then adopted by said-coward, becoming part of a family headed up by Phil “I like to smoke Crack” Mitchell – I bet he wishes he was still an orphan.

Now shacked up with Abi Branning – possibly because he looks like her dad – Brown emerged as a major suspect back in August after a flurry of bets saw the bad lad move from 100/1 to 4/1 to be the killer.

According to a report from Ladbrokes, one punter from Middlesbrough staked a considerable sum on the Walford greasemonkey in a move that saw betting temporarily suspended.

But with others now coming to the fore, could Jay be about to “Do a Ben Mitchell” and emerge as the surprise – and entirely unconvincing – killer.

Young Ben was revealed as the man/boy who murdered Heather a while back and Jay could yet follow suit, thus ensuring that whoever it is that has it in for ginger-types down at the BBC gets their Christmas wish.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.