EastEnders ‘confirms’ Joel’s attackers as two key suspects enter the mix

| Deputy Soaps Editor Published July 29, 2026 9:00am Updated July 29, 2026 9:00am Joel Marshall’s attackers may have just been revealed (Picture: BBC / Metro) EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s (July 29) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm. The mystery of who attacked Joel Marshall (Max Murray) has significantly deepened after two unexpected characters entered the fray as potential prime suspects. Joel, as fans are aware, was brutally attacked last week. The incident came just 45 minutes after a group of local teens banded together to try and get rid of Joel, whose incel behaviour last year left Walford horrified. Joel was jailed after carrying out a horrifying attack on stepmum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). He also had sex with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and filmed it without her consent or knowledge, subsequently posting it online. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. His comeback has proven traumatic for Avani and Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd), who spearheaded the plot to demonstrate to Joel just how unwelcome he is around the Square. After inviting him to an end-of-term party in the park, the teens tied Joel up, filming him as they poured beer all over him. Avani, Denzel and Barney are all hiding secrets (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) Later, Joel was found unconscious – with a serious injury to the back of the head. A police investigation was launched, with DC Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) on a mission to find out who attacked Joel. The teens kept shtum about the torment they inflicted on Joel prior to the attack, fearing it wouldn’t bode well for them. However, Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) showed Jean (Gillian Wright) the video they filmed and Jean felt compelled to share it with Jack (Scott Maslen), who resolved to keep the clip out of the hands of the police in a bid to protect Amy, Lily and the others. Will the truth about Joel’s attacker emerge? (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) As the teens were told to keep their distance from one another in light of this discovery, Avani received a text message from Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega), which read: ‘I think we should tell them’. The question is: tell them what? Does this confirm that Denzel and Avani were the ones to seek revenge on Joel? Were they perhaps responsible for the attack? Or is this simply a red herring to throw us off the scent? Last week, Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman) pleaded with brother Harry (Elijah Holloway) to help him hide the hammer in the wake of the attack, which could suggest that he was the one who carried out the crime. But with Avani and Denzel now in the mix, perhaps that’s not the case after all? Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Arrow MORE: Joel’s attacker ‘confirmed’ amid horrifying discovery in EastEnders Arrow MORE: EastEnders teens thick as thieves in loving pictures despite soap incel attack Arrow MORE: Joel flees Walford in EastEnders after an emotional admission The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.