EastEnders fans believe they have worked out Gray Atkins’ cunning plan to avoid jail time after news broke that he intended to plead guilty.
The Walford villain was arrested for murdering his first bride Chantelle, Tina Carter and Kush Kazemi.
BBC viewers tuning in on Monday were shocked to learn that Gray had decided to admit to his crimes, as his second wife Chelsea Fox broke the news to Whitney Dean.
She said: “Except it means there’s no need for a trial,” to which Whitney replied: “We don’t get to go to court and look him in the eye?”
But as fans digested the news, several took to Twitter to theorise that Gray could have an ulterior motive for pleading guilty and may have done it in the hopes of a lighter sentence.
One wrote: “Gray knows how the system is played as a former lawyer. Pleading guilty means less time in prison (and no trial)”
“You still can Whitney, you can always watch him get sentenced,” another wrote. “By the way, Gray is only pleading guilty so he can get a lighter sentence. He knows what he's doing.”
A third questioned: “Gray doesn't seem the sort of person who would plead guilty?”
Another posted: “It's a shame we won't get a trial. I'd have loved some explosive court scenes.”
The EastEnders villain is also set to drop a bombshell on Chelsea this week, as she's considering putting their son up for adoption.
Taken away from Walford and thrown in prison, the criminal has wreaked havoc among Albert Square residents.
But there's more bad news on the horizon next week, as Chelsea receives a distressing letter from Gray, in which he refuses to keep paying the mortgage, potentially leaving her in a devastating financial situation.
Chelsea made her adoption decision earlier this month, telling Whitney she has decided on the course of action in order to make sure nothing bad ever happens to Jordan again.
Just like Chantelle before her, Chelsea was brutalised by Gray during their marriage.
Gray's behaviour hit a nasty low when he tried to strangle Chelsea after she recorded him confessing to his crimes.
He had also tried to kidnap Jordan and take his eldest children, Mack and Mia, away from Albert Square as plotted to avoid justice.
EastEnders airs Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.
