Burglars steal Eastenders plots from writer

EastEnders producers say burglars have stolen top secret plots from a scriptwriter's house.

The woman's home, in south London, was targeted by burglars who made off with computer equipment and a hard disk featuring storylines for the soap.

None of the plots related specifically to the 'who shot Phil' mystery, but the BBC fears the secret could be given away by clues within various characters' storylines.

Bookmaker William Hill says there are about £50,000 in bets on who was responsible.

Phil's pregnant ex-girlfriend Lisa is 5/4 favourite followed by Dan Sullivan at 13/8 and Steve Owen at 4/1. Others in the frame are Mark Fowler at 7/1, Ian Beale at 10/1 and Mel 12/1.

The material stolen was not directly related to the shooting whodunnit but contained plots for future episodes.

It is understood that as the shooting will be referred to in later shows, identification of the guilty character is possible.

An Eastenders spokesman says the stolen disk has been security coded but a persistent hacker could decode it.

The burglars are thought to have entered the property earlier this week through a 4ft hole in the boundary fence which borders a railway line.

The spokesman says the thieves may have been trying to steal the script but said it would have been impossible as it was "under lock and key" at BBC headquarters.

"We are anxious to point out that the scriptwriter concerned is not specifically involved in the 'Who shot Phil Mitchell?' plotline," the spokesman said.

"However the plotline for the shooting is obviously extremely sought after - and we cannot rule out that being the motive for the burglary."

The BBC is desperate to keep the outcome of the shooting a secret to ensure high viewing figures when it is finally revealed. It has shot several different endings to make sure that the final version is not leaked.

More than 17 million viewers tuned in to the episode two weeks ago in which bullying Phil, played by Steve McFadden, was shot in the chest in Albert Square.