SHOCKING TWIST!!! EastEnders spoilers next week: 22nd Dec and 1st Jan 2026
(18 Twists) EastEnders spoilers next week: 22nd Dec and 1st Jan 2026
Walford is gearing up for two of the most explosive weeks of the year, and Christmas chaos is set to shake the Square from top to bottom. With revenge plots simmering, long-buried secrets exploding, family feuds reaching breaking point, and a shocking New Year flash-forward that changes everything, next week delivers 18 massive twists you won’t want to miss.
The holidays may be a time for joy elsewhere… but in EastEnders, they’re a breeding ground for betrayal, heartbreak, and fiery confrontations. Let’s dive into all 18 upcoming twists for the weeks of December 22nd through January 1st—starting with Nigel’s emotional spiral and ending with Max Branning’s terrifying future.
1. Nigel premieres his film — and everything falls apart
The community center fills with residents eager to support Nigel’s long-awaited film premiere. On the surface, it’s a heartwarming turnout—but behind the scenes, tension flares.
Julie and Phil clash over Nigel’s ongoing care, while Sam arrives only to be driven off by Kat yet again. But the true disaster hits when Nigel spots a bruise on Julie’s face… and realizes he caused it during a moment he can’t fully remember.
Shaken and ashamed, Nigel bolts, locking himself inside the closed Queen Vic, spiraling deeper into confusion and fear.
2. Voices from the past haunt Nigel
Alone in the darkened Vic, Nigel’s dementia intensifies. Faded memories blur with present reality, and in his panic he begins seeing “old faces” from his past—ghosts of Walford memories he can no longer trust.
Meanwhile, Phil watches Nigel’s film alone and finally accepts the truth: Nigel desperately needs help. This heartbreaking realization leads to a rare, vulnerable moment between Phil and Julie as they confront what Nigel’s condition really means.
3. Phil reaches a painful conclusion
Phil’s late-night reflection brings clarity. He understands that he, Julie, and Sam cannot manage Nigel’s rapid decline alone. Their emotional conversation confirms what they’ve feared all along—Nigel needs full-time professional care, a decision that will fracture their family dynamic in ways they can’t yet imagine.
4. The Mitchells unite for a bittersweet Christmas
Trying to salvage the holiday spirit, Phil, Julie, and Sam rally around Nigel. He’s cheerful, but his memory has wiped the previous night entirely. Still, he’s determined to create a perfect Christmas for everyone.
Phil and Sam also share a rare moment of warmth and understanding—something that once felt impossible. With Nigel planning a “special Christmas to remember,” the Mitchells brace themselves for what’s coming.
5. Max erupts after a devastating secret comes to light
A massive secret involving Max blows sky-high, sending him into a rage. Lauren and Jack try to calm him, but it’s Zoe’s unexpected advice that pushes Max toward a reckless decision he’ll come to regret.
By the next day, his outburst isolates him from neighbors and family alike. He tries to reconnect with Oscar, but Linda pulls him away—leading Oscar to drop a chilling revelation that threatens to derail Christmas entirely.
6. Christmas dinner explodes into chaos
The Brannings and Beales gather for what they hope will be a peaceful Christmas dinner—but peace doesn’t stand a chance. Cindy shows up and is immediately offended when Ian and Peter imply she’s not welcome.
Still furious over Oscar’s revelation, Max snaps. The entire table erupts into shouting, accusations, and emotional carnage. Christmas is ruined, and the fractures between both families deepen.
7. Anthony’s strange behavior sparks concern
Chelsea and Patrick try to cheer Anthony up, but he’s distant, moody, and evasive. His withdrawn behavior raises alarms. What is he hiding? And why does it seem like he’s burying something dark beneath the surface?
8. Zoe uncovers a disturbing truth
Sam’s cancer confession shocks Kat, who immediately regrets confronting her at the Vic. As Kat and Alfie leave for the carol concert, Zoe stumbles across a shocking discovery that will shape the rest of her storyline—something tied deeply to the stalker mystery.
9. Christmas chaos escalates at the Slaters’ dinner
The Slaters want a peaceful family Christmas, but Zoe is visibly tense during the Vic’s community meal. When a hidden truth unexpectedly surfaces, tensions boil over. Kat orders the pub cleared in a desperate attempt to shield Zoe—but the situation spirals into catastrophic consequences.
10. Jealous Zack tries to rescue the holiday
Zack overhears Ross asking Vicki to move back, sparking immediate jealousy. Even Barney picks up on it. With the Vic closed, Zack invites everyone to his home to salvage what’s left of Christmas. But deep down, his growing feelings for Vicki threaten to turn this awkward situation into something explosive.
11. Walford becomes a crime scene
The aftermath of Christmas Day is grim. Police swarm Albert Square, interrogating residents as long-guarded secrets begin to surface. The Square feels fractured, unsure of what comes next—and afraid of what one of their own might have done.
12. Max is uninvited—again
For Jimmy’s christening, Lauren and Peter attempt peace, but Cindy refuses to attend if Max is present. Lauren softens when Max buys Jimmy a touching gift, inviting him back against Peter’s wishes.
But just as Max hopes for redemption, Jack drops another bombshell. Max is uninvited again, sending him spiraling deeper into desperation.
13. Max crashes the christening
Ignoring every warning, Max storms into the church mid-ceremony. The stunned congregation watches in horror as he confronts Cindy in a humiliating showdown. Max is unraveling fast… and everyone can see it.
14. Max manipulates Oscar — and lashes out again
Oscar tries to offer his father advice, but Max tunes him out completely. He storms off to Harry’s barn, where he lashes out at another resident, upsetting Nicola—who fires brutal home truths at him.
Still, Max doesn’t stop. He manipulates Oscar into arranging a secret meeting with Lauren at the Vic. When she arrives, she is livid he used her son to reach her. Their confrontation leaves Max more unstable than ever.
15. Harry’s revenge mission begins
Harry’s homecoming thrills Gina, but he immediately pauses their romance to pursue revenge against Ravi. Neither Kajo nor Barney can talk him down.
Consumed by anger, Harry publicly confronts Ravi in the Square—marking the first move in his dangerous plan.
16. Harry prepares to strike
Phil tries to talk Harry down, but Harry misreads the advice as permission to attack Ravi. Nicola is horrified when she later catches Harry poised to jump Ravi from behind.
The question hangs in the air: Will Harry go through with it?
17. Nigel mistakes Honey for Julie
With Phil and Julie sorting out Nigel’s care options, Honey and Billy step in to help. But Nigel’s declining memory leads to a painfully awkward moment when he mistakes Honey for Julie and begins flirting with her—leaving Billy stunned.
18. A shocking New Year flash-forward: Max’s future revealed
On New Year’s Day, EastEnders jumps forward to January 1st, 2027. What we see is shocking: Max and his family caught in the middle of a dramatic event with Max at the heart of the catastrophe.
The tease leaves fans wondering—
What happened? Who’s hurt?
And what does this mean for the Brannings’ future?
The cliffhanger sets up a massive storyline for 2026.
BONUS: Cast photo shoot teases fiery sisterhood
A festive Inside Soap photoshoot featuring Ellie Dadd, Kitty Castledine, and Zaraah Abrahams reveals a strong off-screen bond between their characters—Amy, Penny, and Chelsea—hinting that their intertwined storylines may soon explode in dramatic fashion.
2026 arrivals, exits, and returns
A quick glimpse at what’s coming next year:
- New arrival: Bee, Linda Carter’s old friend
- Returns: Max Branning, Stacey Slater
- Departures: Teddy Mitchell, Sam Mitchell, Nigel Bates, Joel Marshall
Walford is heading into another year of heartbreak, chaos, and unforgettable shocks.