On Monday, with Peggy and Danny now working together as a team, Danny begins trying to get Roxy to make a bid for Booty. After thinking it over – and after talking to a potential rival bidder – Roxy decides she could make a go of the beauty salon, and decides to attend the auction.

Ian, however, mocks her for even considering what he says will be a money pit of a venture. Danny and Peggy’s hopes to distract Roxy from the Vic are dashed though when Roxy reveals that she’s had second thoughts and is no longer going to bid on the salon.

Later though, the rival bidder from earlier walks into the Vic and reveals that he was doing some digging for a partner. At that moment, Ronnie walks in and announces her intentions to buy the Booty property and turn it into a bar. Read more & comment »

On Monday, the investigation into Archie’s murder continues and Marsden’s voluntary DNA screening sessions begin.

Max and Jack are concerned about Bradley, and when he turns up at the Car Lot, they explain that he has to give a sample of his DNA as a refusal to do so would raise suspicion. Later, Bradley joins the queue and Jack promises to sort everything out for his nephew.

Meanwhile, Peggy and Roxy discuss the case and Ronnie overhears them speculating as to why she’s still a suspect. In the Launderette, Dot has a heart-to-heart with Ronnie about Dotty, and before Ronnie leaves, Dot reminds her not to forget her black gloves. Read more & comment »

On Monday, Bradley’s anxious when he spots DCI Marsden on the Square, but Stacey reminds him that they need to continue acting normally, otherwise Marsden will realise that something’s not right.

Back at the Slaters’, Bradley’s in a panic as he tells Stacey that he can’t stop thinking about Archie and the events of Christmas Day. He adds that secrets are always revealed eventually. Stacey tries to reassure Bradley and she insists that their family is the most important thing now, not Archie’s murder.

Later, Jack turns up at the Car Lot and in front of Max, bluntly asks Bradley why he had blood on his hands on Christmas Day. As Max argues with Jack about the accusation, the pair turn to see that Bradley’s disappeared, just as Marsden turns up. However, Jack refuses to talk about Archie and a suspicious Marsden soon leaves. With that, the Branning brother split up to try to find Bradley. Read more & comment »

On Monday, Peggy’s struggling to come to terms with the fact that Roxy’s in charge of the Vic, and a stubborn Roxy refuses to accept help, claiming that she wants to learn the ropes for herself.

Roxy’s annoyed later when she receives a letter from Tracey’s solicitor advising that she’s going to pursue an unfair dismissal claim. Peggy quickly suggests that they take Tracey back, but Roxy refuses to listen and announces that she’s going to hold “auditions” for a new barmaid, but she concedes that Tracey can apply.

As the auditions begin, Amira, Billy and Stacey are among the interviewees, and with the help of her new barmen – Danny and Christian – they put the potential staff through their paces in a series of challenges… Read more & comment »

On Monday, Pat’s gasping for breath on the floor, and just before she falls unconscious, she calls out Janine’s name. With that, Ricky arrives just before the paramedics burst through the door and inform the family that Pat’s in cardiac arrest.

Bianca’s devastated over what’s happened and demands answers from Janine about what was said to cause Pat’s heart attack. Janine, however, refuses to say anything. Later at the hospital, the doctors confirm that Pat’s had a heart attack, prompting Bianca to again ask Janine what they were arguing about.

The doctor goes on to reveal that Pat had an underlying condition that caused the cardiac arrest. Ricky’s stuck in the middle as his sister and fiancé continue to argue. Read more & comment »

On Monday, while Janine tried to assert her authority at the Car Lot, Peggy announces that the Vic’s back in business. However, Roxy isn’t happy about Peggy taking over and Ronnie tries to gently remind Peggy that Roxy’s now the landlady. Later, Ronnie and Roxy ask when Archie’s body will be released before Peggy tells them to have the pub ready by 5pm for the grand reopening.

When Ronnie shows her sister their mother’s gloves that she left behind, Roxy snatches them from her and bins them. Later, Roxy assures Ronnie that nothing will change between them now that she owns the Vic. When Roxy walks away, Ronnie lifts Glenda’s gloves out of the bin and clutches them to her chest.

Later, Pat and Peggy speculate as to who could be Archie’s killer, and Peggy expresses her surprise that Archie left Roxy everything in his will. She goes on to suggest that despite Roxy being the legal owner of the pub, she’s the real landlady. After finishing off a bottle of champagne, Peggy goes to survey the empty pub. Outside, Ronnie and Roxy see Archie’s face on the poster watching over them, before spotting Janine lording it up at the Car Lot. Read more & comment »

On Monday, Billy looks across the Square as DCI Marsden removes the tarpaulin covering the door to the Vic while Mo moans that the police are dragging their feet in catching Archie’s killer. Billy’s distinctly unimpressed by Mo’s attitude, but before he can say anything, he’s interrupted by a phone call.

Meanwhile, Janine’s curious to see Marsden outside the Vic and later, Marsden calls at Janine’s flat and questions why she was out on Christmas Day before asking Janine about Archie’s missing laptop.

Billy turns up to see the Mitchells and reveals that he’s the executor of Archie’s will, prior to revealing that everyone, including Janine, has to be at the reading. Read more & comment »

On Monday, having had a nightmare about Archie, Ronnie’s upset when she can’t find Roxy, but Jack soon comforts her. Staring out of the window, Ronnie spots DCI Marsden and with that, Ronnie insists to Jack that she’ll find out what happened to her father. On the Square, Roxy watches as the police remove the crime scene cordons, and when Ronnie arrives, the pair resolve to track down Archie’s killer.

Later, Ronnie finds Janine outside the Vic and Janine reveals her and Archie’s plan to convert the Vic into flats and claims that she could still continue with their money-making scheme as Archie didn’t change his will. Taunting Janine, Ronnie accuses her of killing both Danielle and Archie.

Ronnie observes DCI Marsden and the police question the locals over Archie’s murder. Before long, Ronnie mentions to Roxy that the rest of the Mitchell clan should be aware of Janine’s “games”. Spotting Marsden, Roxy asks if anyone’s been arrested, but Marsden asks to see Roxy’s hands. Read more & comment »

On Monday, at the police station, Ronnie’s wearing a forensics suit while having her photos and fingerprints taken. Shortly afterwards, during an interview, Ronnie doesn’t deny the fact that she and her father had never seen eye-to-eye.

Back on the Square, Peggy and Roxy are struggling to come to terms with the latest turn of events. Dr Al arrives at Dot’s to see them both, and after sharing a tender moment with Roxy, Al tries to prescribe Peggy some medication, but she refuses it. Phil, meanwhile, throws her an unsympathetic look.

The police soon arrive at Dot’s to question everyone about Archie’s murder. Roxy insists that Ronnie loved their father, before a drunken Phil suggests that they should be talking to Janine instead. When the police ask sbout Peggy, Phil and Roxy are protective, but Peggy soon appears to speak to the police. Read more & comment »

On Monday, a newly-engaged Janine moves some of her belongings into Archie’s house, and while Archie questions whether they should make an announcement, the topic of the footage of Ian in bed with her arises. Archie reminds her though that it’s worthless unless Ian has something to lose and he adds that he wants Ian in on their scam.

Later, a curious Janine asks Lucy about Ian and Jane’s relationship before returning to the Car Lot. She and Archie talk about their relationship and Janine mentions that they’ve yet to sleep together. And after questioning the validity of their relationship, she shocks Archie by calling the whole thing off.

Back at home, Ryan returns and Janine informs him that she’s left Archie so she can be with him. Ryan, however, doesn’t believe a word Janine says and slams her bedroom door in her face. Read more & comment »

On Monday, the mobile that Whitney’s been handed by Tony’s friend rings, but she leaves it ringing. As the call goes to voicemail, Tony leaves a message, claiming that he loves her and asks for her to return his calls. As Whitney listens to the message, she has to hide the phone when Bianca wanders in and suggests a shopping trip.

Ryan tries to make contact with Whitney, but she also ignores his call, choosing instead to quiz Bianca over her motives for taking her shopping. Bianca’s upset when Whitney suggests that Bianca only wants to take her shopping as a reward for appearing in court. Hurt, Bianca reminds Whitney that her birthday’s looming. When Bianca leaves, Whitney contemplates calling Tony back.

Later, Ryan forces his way into Pat’s house to see Whitney, but she explains that she wants him out of her life as Tiffany’s the only family she needs. Read more & comment »

On Monday, Max is still in a predicament as Phil’s demanding the £13,000 he owes the Mitchells for the insurance scam he sold them. After asking Masood if he can help with his post round, Max’s financial concerns escalate when Abi and Lauren present their Christmas lists and insist on getting a real tree.

At his wit’s end, Max decides to sell his watch on the internet and begins to look around the house to see what else he can sell. After a failed attempt at conning compensation out of Ian, Phil suggests that Max rethink their plan to scam Ian. But Max maintains that Phil must be hoping for a small miracle if he seriously believes he can raise £13,000 by the end of the following day.

Phil points out that Max has no money, and with Christmas on the horizon, he needs all the money he can get. With that, Phil gives Max until 1pm to decide whether he’s in on the plan or not. Read more & comment »

On Monday, fretting over Sam’s whereabouts, Peggy leaves a panicky message on Grant’s phone while Roxy jokes that Sam will be back as quick as she left. Phil reminds them that Sam’s due to appear in court soon and if she doesn’t show, they’ll be financially ruined.

Worried about the potential ramifications of Sam’s disappearance, Peggy suggests that Phil talk to the bank manager. She also receives a call from Grant informing her that Sam’s not with him. With that, Phil decides to turn to Ricky and Jack for information.

Later, Phil questions Jack over Sam’s whereabouts and despite his lack of knowledge, he offers to make some calls. Phil, however, is left puzzled by Jack’s willingness to help with the search. Ricky’s next on Phil’s list but he offers no clue as to where Sam is. Peggy reminds Phil to speak to the bank manager, but he’s seemingly distracted. Read more & comment »

On Monday, Archie wanders into the Vic and asks Roxy to call Peggy for him. Roxy, however, reminds him that he shouldn’t be there as Peggy’s barred him. While waiting for Peggy, Archie talks to Jack about Sam and claims that she won’t last long if she’s sent to prison.

Having seen the pair kiss the previous week, Archie suggests that Jack should help Sam because she trusts him. Jack’s left thinking it over while Roxy eventually tells Archie that Peggy’s not even in and that she’s at Aunt Sal’s.

Later, Archie’s having lunch with Sam at Fargo’s and he broaches the subject of prison. Sam claims that she’s prepared for whatever life behind bars has in store for her if she’s sent down, but Archie suggests that she get a second opinion on her legal position. Read more & comment »

Yes, before it’s even happened, that’s the question that we all want the answer to. And we want to know who you reckon dunnit, or rather, will do it.

There are of course no shortage of contenders; Ronnie, Peggy, Phil, Janine, Ryan – who might do it out of jealousy – maybe even Roxy. Or perhaps a total surprise hitter might be Archie’s ex-wife Glenda – played by Glynis Barber – who’s due to appear in January.

We already know that Archie’s to be murdered on Christmas Day and his killer’s name revealed during the show’s 25th anniversary live episode in February, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that she might bump him off… Read more & comment »