We’ve reached the end of another ‘whodunnit’ storyline, as Joel Deering’s (Calum Lill) murderer is exposed at last in Coronation Street.
In soap years, a murder mystery is a tale as old as time, and I couldn’t resist ranking the most important moment in every whodunnit – those crucial reveals.
So, here are the biggest killer unveilings in Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, from the weakest to the most iconic.
15. Who sabotaged the factory roof? Coronation Street (2019)
Fan-favourite Rana Habeeb (Bhavna Limbachia) was crushed to death in the Underworld roof disaster on her wedding day.
Then builder Gary Windass (Mikey North) made a voicemail confession, claiming he deliberately damaged the roof to get more work!
A rather underwhelming outcome.
14. Who shot Robert Sugden? Emmerdale (2015)
Manslaughter, manipulation and infidelity saw Robert (Ryan Hawley) clock up several enemies.
In a ‘rewind’ episode, Robert’s adoptive brother Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) orchestrated his shooting to avenge wife Katie’s (Sammy Winward) death; but Ross Barton (Michael Parr) pulled the trigger on his behalf.
A decent overall plot, but the actual twist would have been more powerful had we seen Ross inexplicably do the deed before the explanation.
13. Who killed Tina McIntyre? Coronation Street (2014)
Tina’s (Michelle Keegan) murder was teased ahead of transmission, before Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) pushed her from a balcony and attacked her with a metal pole.
But stopping Tina from exposing his dodgy dealings didn’t feel a strong enough motive for Rob – even with his knowledge of her affair with Carla’s (Alison King) husband Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne).
12. Who killed Calvin Valentine? Hollyoaks (2010)
After a flash-forward promised his murder, Calvin (Ricky Whittle) made enemies and cheated on wife Carmel McQueen (Gemma Merna) with her sister Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) and cousin Theresa (Jorgie Porter).
Calvin ordered pregnant Theresa to have an abortion – so she shot him! Dramatic as ever, but in my eyes, the shock value doesn’t beat Hollyoaks’ eerier offerings…
11. Who killed Frank Foster? Coronation Street (2012)
Frank (Andrew Lancel) escaped justice for raping Carla but ended up dead instead.
Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) realised Frank’s mum Anne (Gwen Taylor) was the killer, but hit her head before she could raise the alarm.
Anne held Carla at knifepoint, admitting that she heard Frank goading her over the rape, leading to a fatal fight. Effective, but not surprising.
10. Who killed Lucy Beale? EastEnders (2015)
A flashback confirmed Lucy (Hetti Bywater) was accidentally killed by younger half-brother Bobby (then played by Eliot Carrington).
In a live instalment, dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt) realised wife Jane (Laurie Brett) had covered up Bobby’s crime.
Flanked by a strong supporting cast, Adam’s moving, raw portrayal far outshone the big reveal.
9. Who killed Emma Barton? Emmerdale (2017)
Flashbacks intertwined with a present day confession saw killer nurse Emma (Gillian Kearney) goading enemy Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) until Moira pushed Emma off the viaduct.
A split second decision that felt true to character, even if this twist can’t beat what came before.
8. Who killed Lynsey Nolan? Hollyoaks (2012)
A flashback showed Dr Paul Browning (Joseph Thompson) strangling Lynsey (Karen Hassan) to protect Mercedes.
Simon Walker (Neil Newbon) witnessed the murder, but as Lynsey had discovered his undercover police operation, Walker hid and ignored her cries for help! Truly sinister.
7. Who pushed Clare Devine? Hollyoaks (2007)
Justin Burton (Chris Fountain) taunted Clare (Gemma Bissix) with the bombshell that he had pushed her off The Loft balcony.
Justin had heard Clare mocking the untimely deaths of his sisters, Mel (Cassie Powney) and Sophie (Connie Powney), and took revenge.
Clare reeled from Justin’s confession, creating another unforgettable pay-off.
6. Who attacked Cain Dingle? Emmerdale (2012)
Out of control Cain (Jeff Hordley) was attacked with repeated blows to the head, with dad Zak (Steve Halliwell) admitting he was responsible.
Their confrontation led to a soul-searching two-hander, marking one of the most impactful reveals as Emmerdale prioritised character-driven drama.
5. Who is the Gloved Hand Killer? Hollyoaks (2015)
Several villagers were bumped off by a mystery medic, keeping us guessing until the last second.
Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) survived the lethal injection – but for viewers, the attempt exposed the villain as his wife, Doctor Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin).
A chilling scene which deserves its rightful place on this list.
4. Who killed Tom King? Emmerdale (2007)
Long before his namesake grandson unleashed pure evil, Tom (Ken Farrington) was pushed through a window to his death. Sons Jimmy (Nick Miles), Matthew (Matt Healy) and Carl (Tom Lister) were chief suspects.
Carl confessed to his brothers, blaming his actions on Tom’s controlling ways.
This tense showdown remains one of Emmerdale’s finest hours, despite Carl getting away with the crime for years.
3. Who shot Phil Mitchell? EastEnders (2001)
Gunned down on his own doorstep, Phil (Steve McFadden) identified the culprit as ex-girlfriend Lisa Shaw (Lucy Benjamin), who he had abused with coercive control.
In the days before social media, their showdown was electric viewing.
2. The Six: Who is the flash-forward victim? EastEnders (2023)
Turning the whole premise on its head, a flash-forward gave fans 10 months to uncover the Christmas Day victim and killer.
Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) stabbed Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) to stop him strangling Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
Linda’s internal tug of war before her deadly act was perfectly delivered by Kellie, making the scenario all the more believable. A genuine festive shocker.
1. Who killed Archie Mitchell? EastEnders (2010)
During a live instalment, top suspect Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) died after falling from The Queen Vic roof.
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Seconds later, Bradley’s wife, Stacey (Lacey Turner) confessed rapist Archie’s (Larry Lamb) murder to ex-lover and father-in-law Max (Jake Wood).
With just one chance to get it right, EastEnders pulled off its most impressive reveal, with a seamless performance from Lacey that cements this twist as my number one choice.
