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Who attacked Joel in EastEnders? Fans 'solve' whodunnit mystery in shock twist

EastEnders viewers are certain they know who attacked Joel - and it's not Barney or Avani

[Max Murray as Joel Marshall in EastEnders ]

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Moments before Joel was attacked by in a sinister revenge plot (Image: BBC)

EastEnders delivered an unexpected moment for Joel Marshall (Max Murray) as the troubled teenager was asked to come back to Walford after suffering a vicious assault.

Earlier this week, on the BBC shop, Joel's attack continues to send ripples through Walford's youth following a humiliating prank that ended with him being struck on the head.

The scheme was masterminded by Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) with assistance from Denzel (Jaden Ladega), Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury), and Ricky (Frankie Day), plus a hesitant Lily (Lilia Turner) and Barney (Lewis Bridgeman), who tied him to railings and poured alcohol over him.

The humiliating episode was filmed, leaving Joel restrained and alone for 45 minutes until Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips) arrived and demanded his release. However, Joel was discovered unconscious with a head wound.

[Joel is pictured in a hospital bed in EastEnders ]

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Joel Marshall was violenty attacked by an unknown person in EastEnders (Image: BBC)

So far, Barney has been behaving rather suspiciously after getting his older brother, Harry (Elijah Holloway), to collect a weapon involved in the incident, the Daily Star reports.

Meanwhile, Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) has found it difficult watching her stepson suffer in the hospital, despite Joel having attacked her the previous year, resulting in a six-month prison sentence for him.

On Tuesday (July 28), Vicki and her other half, Ross (Alex Walkinshaw), stood together as they consoled Joel at his hospital bed. Ross also revealed that Joel was being released from the hospital.

The revelation left Vicki conflicted, given her previous firm stance that she felt unsafe living with him following his near-fatal attack on her.

It therefore raised eyebrows when Vicki declared, "It's okay, Joel," and welcomed him back into her home with Ross.

She further pledged to shield him from the other youngsters in the neighbourhood. "We won't let anyone touch you," Vicki added before the family headed back home to the Square.

[Joel, Vicki and Ross stand together outside their family home ]

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Joel returned to Walford on Tuesday after being attacked (Image: BBC)

Despite Vicki's apparent forgiveness, some EastEnders viewers are pointing the finger at her as Joel's attacker, suggesting her behaviour is driven by remorse.

Heading to Reddit to share their theories, one user posted: "I reckon Vicki attacked Joel," while another chipped in: "Anyone think it was her? I honestly wouldn't be mad... maybe she feels guilty, like she is as bad as him now."

A third commented: "That line annoyed me, it felt way too soon for Vicki to forgive Joel for nearly beating her half to death," with yet another concurring: "I guarantee she's the one who attacked him."

"I got the feeling that the forgiveness wasn't very convincing and was hiding guilt. The way it's been written has been rushed so I don't believe everything is quite as it seems. This episode felt like Vicki was the one who hit Joel," explained another.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer

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