In a stunning Boxing Day revelation, EastEnders exposed the true circumstances behind Dr Anthony Trueman's death, pointing the finger at a sinister plot orchestrated by Chrissie Watts. The episode, which aired on BBC One at 7:30pm on 26 December 2025, dismantled the assumption that Zoe Slater was responsible for the fatal Christmas Day incident at The Queen Vic.
The Confrontation That Sparked a Tragedy
The dramatic sequence of events began on Christmas Day when Anthony, played by Nicholas Bailey, confronted Zoe (Michelle Ryan). He was enraged to discover she had concealed the truth that he was the father of the two children she gave up for adoption 19 years earlier. Anthony had uncovered the paternity through birth records and concocted a cruel lie, telling Zoe both children had died.
His scheme unravelled when Chelsea Fox informed Kat and Zoe that the children were, in fact, alive. This led to an emotional meeting at the pub where Jasmine, one of Zoe's daughters, arrived with Chrissie. Unbeknownst to them, Anthony was upstairs, setting the stage for a fatal confrontation.
Jasmine's Damning Testimony
The Boxing Day instalment focused heavily on the aftermath, with key testimony coming from Jasmine. She revealed to Kat that she first met Chrissie at the hospital after Zoe's shooting. "She listened to me but wanted to go further," Jasmine explained, adding that hours before the pub clash, Chrissie ominously stated Zoe deserved what was coming to her.
Most damningly, Jasmine recounted Chrissie urging her to flee The Queen Vic before the police arrived. "She's capable of this," Jasmine insisted, leading a horrified Kat to question how Chrissie could have known officers were on their way. This crucial detail formed the backbone of the theory that Chrissie was the real perpetrator.
Fan Theories Confirmed and a Killer's Pattern
Viewers quickly took to social media to voice their suspicions, which the episode ultimately validated. One fan exclaimed on X: "Chrissie definitely did it!!" Another noted the grim parallels: "So Chrissie has killed again and is making Zoe think that she killed them... another one of Patrick's sons has been murdered."
This act of framing Zoe mirrors Chrissie's past machinations in Walford, notably when she framed Sam Mitchell for the murder of 'Dirty' Den Watts. Kat Slater, piecing the puzzle together, furiously concluded: "She's killed Anthony, and she's trying to frame Zoe. Chrissie killed Anthony!"
Meanwhile, a confused and guilt-ridden Zoe handed herself in to police, confessing she pushed Anthony during their argument. "He banged his head on the door, but I don’t see how that could have killed him. It weren’t even that hard," she pleaded, unaware she was playing directly into Chrissie's hands.
As Kat refused to cooperate fully with the investigation, simply stating Anthony was drunk and "saying all sorts," the stage is set for a major showdown. EastEnders continues this gripping storyline on Monday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
