Stacey is the killer!

An emotional Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) revealed that she had killed Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) in last night's live episode of EastEnders, only moments after husband Bradley (Charlie Clements) fell to his death from the roof on the Queen Vic.

EastEnders first ever live episode, which finally saw the reveal of the who killed Archie after months of speculation went without any major problems and was a fitting conclusion to a storyline that had got the country talking.

An investigation was launched after evil Archie was brutally murdered with the Queen Victoria bust on Christmas day. Archie had made plenty of enemies during his time in Albert Square, the list of suspects including wife Peggy (Babara Windsor), daughter Ronnie (Samantha Womack), fiancee Janine (Charlie Brooks), nephew Phil (Steve McFadden), Bradley and Ian (Adam Woodyatt).

But it was an angry Stacey who dealt the final blow after Archie had raped her months earlier.

The EastEnders cast and crew merged multiple strands of the storyline together well, the case of Archie's killer unraveling on-screen with only a few stuttering camera shots and spluttered lines noticeable.

Bradley and Stacey's storyline was the main component as the newly-weds tried to flee Walford after the Police closed in on Bradley. Bradley's emotional exit had been expected but the dramatic nature of his fall came as a shock and paved the way for Stacey's confession to father-in-law Max (Jake Wood).

Despite being unwell leading up to the live episode Lacey shone on screen, the desperation and devastation of the night's events powerfully portrayed by the brilliant Lacey.

Before finding out who the real killer was the main suspects' stories was explored on-screen, Janine prepared to flee the Square, an angry Phil confronted Ian whilst Roxy (Rita Simons) was convinced that her sister Ronnie was the killer.

Roxy's accusations led to Ronnie's shocking revelation that Archie had raped Ronnie when she was a child. Whilst it was a shock for viewers, the plot twist seemed unnecessary for a character that has already been troubled by the death of two children, abandonment by her mother and the betrayal of her sister and boyfriend's one night stand. Surely Ronnie already had enough motive for murder after years of torment at the hands of Archie?

Last night's episode averaged just under 15 million viewers, peaking at an impressive 16.6 million to see Bradley's death and Stacey's reveal in the last five minutes. The BBC Three show, EastEnders Live: The Aftermath also faired well, drawing 4.3 million in the hour after the live episode. This was BBC Three's best ever ratings and the highest ever for a multichannel programme.

The live episode was a fitting celebration of 25 years for EastEnders, displaying the ingredients that have made the show one of the most popular on British television. Filled with emotion, drama, suspense and shock tonight's episode concluded a storyline crafted with great intrigue and mystery over the last two months.

Picture from The Guardian