EastEnders fans have been calling for serial killer Gray Atkins’ exit for months – and left fuming every time the villain manages to escape justice.
Gray stormed into Walford by murdering his wife Chantelle, who he was ritually abusing throughout their relationship. He pushed his spouse onto a knife and abandoned her to die – but she wasn’t his only victim.
Gray went on to kill Tina Carter after she caught wind of his treacherous ways – before pushing Kush Kazemi in front of a Tube train.
And it has been confirmed that Gray will finally meet his own sticky end this week.
But the specifics of how still remain a mystery.
Some eagle-eyed fans, however, think it’s one they’ve already solved – and certain they know how Gray’s story will finally end.
‘Leaked’ date
(Image: BBC / Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Though the soap is keeping tight-lipped on how exactly Gray’s exit will play out, show boss Kate Oates promised that Gray is “finally exposed” this week as the BBC schedule shifts to 7:30pm Mondays to Thursdays.
However, eagle-eyed fans spotted a key clue that Gray’s last day on set will come on Thursday, March 10.
According to Gray’s fan Wikia page, this is the character’s final appearance.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Last appearance 10th March ‘22… if this mf dies and doesn’t pay for what he’s done [I’m going to] hit the roof.”
Another echoed: “Gray’s time is running out… #EastEnders. March 10. BBC One.”
Whodunnit plot
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders is well-known for its incredible murder mysteries – one of the most famous being Who Killed Lucy Beale back in 2015.
And some fans reckon a whodunnit will also take place when Gray finally exits the soap – believing he will be murdered by a mystery perpetrator.
It would certainly create a new buzz around the BBC soap, which has been concerned with falling ratings after changing its schedule to air at the same time as ITV’s Emmerdale.
A dark trailer for the show let fans see Gray’s face surrounded by a number of clawing hands, which could be Walford residents attempting to bring him down.
And who could the key suspects be?
Mick Carter seems like one of the most likely characters, with Danny Dyer announcing his own soap exit and being Tina’s nephew – so he could be out for revenge.
Whitney, Chelsea and Kheerat also seem like key players in the storyline as they are all closely intertwined with killer Gray – and Whitney working with Kheerat to see him face justice.
Triple murder
(Image: BBC)
It has been suggested that Gray could take another two Walford residents down with him when he finally goes.
He could be forced to kill both his current partner Chelsea and Whitney Dean in order to silence them, with Toby-Alexander Smith telling Metro: “I think he is capable of killing either Chelsea or Whitney, absolutely.
“He is very much a caged animal and if he is put in a position where he has to make a decision, it is fight or flight, then he will do whatever it takes. I believe he would.”
Whitney has been trying to prove Gray’s true personality for months, and Chelsea has been so beaten down by Gray that confronting him could be her only chance of escape.
Kush still alive
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Some fans are convinced that Gray’s third victim Kush Kazemi could be lurking in the shadows, having faked his own death in order to get revenge on the killer.
One fan theorised on Facebook: “Oooo it would be awesome if Kush survives the train incident and Whitney starts to get strange messages or cryptic clues, feeling she’s being watched.
“And the big reveal or what happens to him and how he survives (a bit of lost memory/recovery/gathering evidence) and the police and female lawyer could be part of the story…
“Now that would be an awesome ending!
Someone else suggested Tina could be in hiding and ‘return’ from the dead – as the actress returned briefly to the soap for a flashback.
They pointed out: “We seen Chantelle die, seen Kush die, didn’t see Tina die or even get buried. She’s either trapped or on the run!”
Rooftop chase
(Image: mirror.co.uk)
Gray’s final scenes were filmed on the new EastEnders set, featuring wider streets for cars to get through and a new set of rooftops, alleyways, gardens and garages.
That means there’s plenty of space for someone to hide – or for a body to be concealed.
In a short video released by the soap, Gray could be seen racing across rooftops in a dark hooded jacket, with bosses confirming that he is set to escape from the police after being caught out for his crimes.
Series Production Manager Rona McKendrick explained: “Our first scenes on the new lot involved a long journey of Gray escaping from the police, and it involved a sequence of about a week’s worth of night shooting.”
And Gray star Toby Alexander Smith said: “Gray’s comeuppance has been on the agenda for quite a while and I think we’ve all been waiting for it – including myself.
“It is nice to be shooting these final scenes, and it feels pretty epic. I feel like he’s going out in pretty spectacular fashion!”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
