EastEnders fans 'work out' identity of mystery gunman after Jake Wood's Max Branning after BBC flash forward episode teaser

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EastEnders fans are certain they have 'worked out' the identity of the mysterious gunman targeting Max Branning - after an ominous flash forward teaser.

The BBC soap's New Years Day episode gave viewers at peek at one year ahead in Walford, on January 1, 2027.

In a tense cliffhanger, fans learned an anonymous person was holding Max's children at gunpoint.

Both Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Mouiller) looked terrified, as Max, played by Jake Wood received a text telling him to choose one of them.

Online sleuths think they have cracked who the hidden villain is - although the official answer is months away.

They reckon Walford's new bad guy Tim Walton, played by Tom Ratcliffe, is who will turn out to be responsible.

EastEnders viewers think they have worked out the mysterious future gunman targeting Max Branning (played by Jake Wood, pictured)

The soap's New Year's Day flashforward showed Max's children Lauren and Oscar being held at gunpoint

As of late, Tim has been tormenting his old university friend Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff).

The antagonist revealed he had career ruining footage of Johnny's boyfriend Callum Highway (Tony Clay). 

And Tim leveraged this by telling Johnny that sleeping with him would ensure the footage got deleted.

Spoilers for upcoming scenes reveal that Max, as well as Johnny's mother Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) are set to become involved.

Although Linda confronts Tim, he remains unmoved - prompting her to confide in Max.

Linda is worried over what Max may do, although he makes it clear to Tim to stay away from Walford. 

One viewer theorised: 'Tim will be the gunman.'

Could villain Tim Walton eventually turn out to be the mysterious gunman on New Year's Day 2027?

Elsewhere, EastEnders legend Gemma Bissix is set to make a return to the BBC soap almost TWENTY years after her last appearance.

The actress, 42, first joined EastEnders in 1993 at the age of just nine as Clare Bates [Tyler], the daughter of Debbie Tyler and stepdaughter of Nigel Bates.

She starred as a regular on the soap from 1993 until 1998 when she left Albert Square, before making a brief return in 2008.

Now Gemma is again reprising the role for a short stint this spring as she returns to EastEnders as part of her stepdad Nigel's dementia storyline.

Despite being estranged from Nigel, Clare will return to Walford when news of his worsening dementia reaches her - but is shocked when she arrives and is confronted by his fragility and the reality of his prognosis.

On reprising the role, Gemma said: 'It was a real pleasure to be asked to reprise the role of Clare for Nigel's storyline.

'I was hoping to get the call as I think the fans wanted EastEnders to revisit their relationship. Nigel and Clare were a formidable pairing in the 90's with a very unique stepfather/stepdaughter relationship!

'It has been so great to reconnect with Paul and Karen after all these years, and it's crazy how time felt like it had stopped when we did!'

She added: 'I grew up on the set of EastEnders and essentially learnt my craft there, so it's been a real full circle moment!

'Whilst it will be an emotional reunion, I hope the viewers will be pleased to see Clare and Nigel on screen together once again!'

Clare's arrival will reportedly be a dramatic one, but her return will be essential as Nigel's loved ones collectively decide what is best for him n the next stage of his dementia care.

EastEnders has been working with Dementia UK and experts in the field on Nigel's storyline to ensure it has been portrayed as sensitively and as accurately as possible.

Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer added: 'We always knew we wanted to bring Clare Bates back to Walford as we continue Nigel's storyline, and I'm delighted that Gemma said yes.

'The stepfather and daughter duo share a complicated history and have been estranged for many years, but it was essential for us to revisit this relationship as Nigel's dementia progresses and the family start to consider his additional care needs.' 

EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.