EastEnders has kicked off a brand new mystery this week as secret lovers Sharon and Keanu have been inundated with messages over their affair.

The ballsy blackmailer has got their hands on the rather incriminating (and unfortunate!) audio of the pair's passionate rendezvous in The Arches last week – and will seemingly stop at nothing to tear their fling apart.

Tonight's scenes saw Sheanu reach breaking point as the culprit upped the ante, but just who is blackmailing them? And why? Thankfully, we don't wait too long until the truth comes out, but here is a round-up of possibilities in the meantime...

1. Louise Mitchell

BBC

Top of our list is Sharon's sassy step-daughter, Louise. Cut from the same cloth as her fierce father Phil, we can't see Louise taking Sharon's extra-curricular activities lying down whatsoever.

Lou also seems to have a habit of walking in on the duo at the most inconvenient time possible and the text message treatment seems more fitting with her personality than some others on this list. Is Louise the crafty culprit? Only time will tell...

2. Dennis Rickman

BBC

We already know that Sharon's young son Denny has a bit of a malicious streak, but could he really be capable of threatening his own mother? Actually, it's likely. Not only does Denny think of Phil as his father but he's found a big brother figure in Keanu and therefore we can't see him being all that happy about his worlds all colliding.

It's also a given that Denny would be in Sharon's phone contacts and therefore a likely suspect to have received that, erm, unfortunate call during her passionate encounter with Keanu at The Arches the other week. Eek! If it does turn out to be Denny, let's just hope the poor kid isn't scarred for life!

3. Mel Owen

BBC

Granted, these text messages don't really seem in keeping with Mel's style – but could she be double bluffing? It's hard to see why Mel would have such a big problem with Sharon cheating on Phil (she of all people would know that he's hardly an angel himself) but might she have simply spotted an opportunity to get one up on her frenemy?

Or perhaps she just needs an outlet for her anger over her own personal problems and Sheanu are bearing the brunt?

4. Hunter Owen

BBC

Hunter was initially the first person Sharon thought of after receiving that first ominous message, given that he's got form of similarly sinister behaviour. However, upon learning that Hunter's phone had broken, Sharon was forced to think again. But hang on, what if Hunter's phone is actually fine and this is all part of a wider plan to cover his tracks?

Mel's scheming son has caused a number of problems for people since arriving in Walford earlier this year – and we all know that the Mitchells are not his favourite clan. Could Hunter be having the last laugh with this one? And how far is he willing to take it if he is?

5. Max Branning

BBC

Given that Max has definitely got bigger fish to fry right now, it's hard to see why Sheanu's affair would have rattled him to this extent. Plus, given his long and complex history with Phil, it's likely that Sharon's adulterous antics would be something for him to celebrate rather than try and stop.

With that in mind, we're clutching at straws a bit here. But then again, we know that nothing is ever straightforward with Max – and who is to say what he is really capable of after all his manipulation last year?

Max was one of the (many) possibilities that Sharon pondered over tonight – pointing out that it could be belated revenge for letting him go to prison for a murder he didn't commit. But is he really responsible this time? Or is it simply too far-fetched?

6. Bernadette Taylor

BBC

While it's hard to believe that sweet-natured schoolgirl Bernadette is capable of being quite so mean, she is still a strong contender here. Loyal family girl Bernie has always had a particularly strong connection with big brother Keanu and would undoubtedly be fearful for what his fling with Sharon could mean for his safety.

After all, Bernie is her mother's daughter and we already know that Karen won't be taking the news of the affair lying down...

7. Keegan Baker

BBC

An intriguing scene in tonight's episode might have seemingly ruled Keegan out of the mystery, but we're not so easily fooled. Keanu received another bothersome text message seconds after Keegan left the room in Tuesday's visit to Walford – suggesting that he couldn't possibly have been the one behind it.

However, given that was one of Keegan's only scenes in the episode, we're a little suspicious. Maybe he's just a really fast texter? Or he's getting someone else to do the leg work? The possibilities are endless.

8. Tiffany Butcher

Nicky Johnston BBC

Much like fellow schoolgirl Louise, we can see troublesome Tiff getting a kick out of making Keanu and Sharon sweat in this way. Fiercely loyal to best friend Bernie, Tiff is never one to miss a trick when it comes to the goings on in the Square – especially as she never seems to be at school these days.

Let's also not forget that Tiff's bad boy boyfriend Jagger gave her a spare phone, so could she be the one sending these ominous messages to the secret lovers on the sly?

9. Hayley Slater

BBC

Another character high up on our predictions list is Keanu's friend Hayley. Although the spoilers for the rest of this week and next reveal that Hayley has some harrowing times ahead, she shouldn't be ruled out of this mystery yet, either.

Hayley has grown fond of Keanu over the last few months, and before Sharon came onto the scene, it did seem that their friendship might develop into more at one point. So, with Keanu distracted at the time Hayley needs him the most, could this be her attempt to divert his attention back to her?

10. Phil...

BBC

It's what Sharon and Keanu are dreading the most, but could Phil know their secret after all? Phil's prolonged break abroad was what actually prompted Sharon to pursue her feelings for Keanu in the first place, but she's acutely aware that all hell will break loose if he ever found out.

Upcoming scenes will see Sharon left reassured that Phil can't possibly know her big secret, but can she really be so sure? If we're honest, we're expecting more brawls and baseball bats as opposed to text messages when Phil does eventually make the discovery (Christmas, anyone?) but maybe he's a changed man and this is how he exacts his revenge these days?

EastEnders continues on Thursday, October 18 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

EastEnders: 30 new spoiler pictures as Sharon Mitchell and Keanu Taylor's affair gets rumbled

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