Next week on EastEnders: Sharon to confess? Plus Mick discovers the truth about Tina? (spoilers)

Get ready for another gripping week in Walford. (BBC)
Get ready for another gripping week in Walford. (BBC)

Will Max get the better of Sharon? Is Mick about to discover what happened to Tina over Christmas? And what has dastardly Lucas done to Denise?

It’s your full guide to next week’s drama on EastEnders (1 – 5 February, 2021)...

Max makes an accusation

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 26/01/2021 - Programme Name: EastEnders - January-March 2021 - TX: 01/02/2021 - Episode: EastEnders - January-March 2021- 6213 (No. 6213) - Picture Shows: ***EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2021*** Max Branning (JAKE WOOD), Sharon Watts (LETITIA DEAN) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes
Max Branning (JAKE WOOD), Sharon Watts (LETITIA DEAN)

It’s come to something when Max now has a stronger moral core than anyone else in Walford.

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Truth and justice have never been high on his list of priorities, and yet we are with Max openly accusing Sharon of being behind the recent attack on Ian.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 26/01/2021 - Programme Name: EastEnders - January-March 2021 - TX: 02/02/2021 - Episode: EastEnders - January-March 2021- 6214 (No. 6214) - Picture Shows: ***EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2021*** Max Branning (JAKE WOOD) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes
Max Branning (JAKE WOOD)

Of course, his mission to expose Ian’s would-be killer isn’t entirely selfless, as Max would quite like to prove Tina’s innocence in order to get Linda back. But his inflammatory words do look set to spark a big showdown as things get nasty at the Queen Vic. The big issue for writers, though, is how they can possibly redeem Sharon. Now that we know she’s capable of taking a life by serving up poisoned carbonara, it’s difficult to feel any sympathy for her.

Mick frets about Tina

The finger pointing at the pub will certainly leave Mick worried for Tina’s welfare, so he persuades Linda to get the truth from Max, who explains what he knows. What none of them realise, of course, is that Gray did Tina in over the not-so-festive period, wrapped her up like a macabre Christmas present and then dumped her body who knows where.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 26/01/2021 - Programme Name: EastEnders - January-March 2021 - TX: 02/02/2021 - Episode: EastEnders - January-March 2021- 6214 (No. 6214) - Picture Shows: ***EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2021*** Mick Carter (DANNY DYER) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes
Mick Carter (DANNY DYER)

At the moment, Gray appears to have got away with his crime, what with him now playing mind games with Whitney. But with Mick worried about Tina and suspicious that nothing about this situation makes sense, Gray should perhaps be concerned that his guilty secret won’t stay buried for much longer.

Has Lucas attacked Denise?

Now that we realise Chelsea has inherited her dad’s devious streak, we’re just waiting for the full extent of her scheme to be revealed. The upcoming drama will see her announce that she’s booked a holiday, making her the only person in the UK to actually have any travel plans. Chelsea’s intention is for Lucas to accompany her and she’s even sorted the paperwork so he can leave the country. But what is she really up to?

All that can be said at this stage is that Lucas will be seen refusing to go, a move which leads to Denise then accusing him of letting their daughter down again. This rant from the furious Ms Fox results in Lucas losing his rag. But is he destined to revert to his old ways?

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 26/01/2021 - Programme Name: EastEnders - January-March 2021 - TX: 02/02/2021 - Episode: EastEnders - January-March 2021- 6214 (No. 6214) - Picture Shows: ***EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2021*** Denise Fox (DIANE PARISH) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes
Denise Fox (DIANE PARISH)

Fans will certainly be left thinking so when Jack discovers that Denise and Lucas have both vanished, leaving a trail of bloodstains behind them. Quick, check all the empty basements in the neighbourhood...

Billy turns to drugs

Unlucky-in-love Billy feels that he’s lost everything: Honey, Jay, the family life that he’s always craved. And a bad situation will get even worse when a financially stable Jay steps in to buy the kids new trainers. Billy tells Lola that he’s determined to get a new job, but things don’t go to plan when he then does a trial shift at the local call centre.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 26/01/2021 - Programme Name: EastEnders - January-March 2021 - TX: 01/02/2021 - Episode: EastEnders - January-March 2021- 6213 (No. 6213) - Picture Shows: ***EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2021*** Billy Mitchell (PERRY FENWICK) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes
Billy Mitchell (PERRY FENWICK)

Now in a desperate state, Billy asks Vinny about the possibility of dealing drugs. But will a cash-strapped Billy really resort to crime when Vinny hands him a stash to sell? Just say no, Billy!

Watch: The latest EastEnders spoilers