Private investigator reveals who they think killed Lucy Beale

"Having looked at the evidence, they clearly stick out. An active criminal who has killed before".

Bookmaker William Hill has teamed up with Cerberus Investigations Limited to try to work out who bumped off the blonde beauty - played by Hetti Bywater - last year in one of the soap's biggest whodunits, and the private investigator has his money on Lucy's uncle, Ben Mitchell being the culprit.

"Having looked at the evidence, Ben Mitchell clearly sticks out. He is an active criminal who has killed before," said Duncan Mee of Cerberus Investigations Ltd.

"His dodgy persona is concreted with the robbery at the off-licence on the murder night with accomplice Jay Brown.

"The crucial detail is that CCTV footage shows Jay using a bus to get to the off-licence whereas Lucy's body was dumped in the woods needing a car and this suggests it could be Ben."

Punters also now believe Ben - who was previously put in prison for killing Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) - could well be behind the crime as he has shot to 5/1 second favourite in the betting with William Hill.

His girlfriend Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) is 4/1 favourite, while Lucy's father Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is available at 12/1, his ex Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is 14/1, and notorious Walford bad-boy Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is 16/1.

"We have been overwhelmed with the interest in the EastEnders' story line," a William Hill spokesperson said.

"There have been a number of significant gambles particularly on both Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell but Abi remains our favourite. We're looking forward to the real killer being unveiled on the 20th.

The Lucy whodunit has captured the imagination of the nation and all will finally be revealed in a live 'EastEnders' episode to celebrate the show's 30th anniversary next Friday.