'EastEnders' preview: What will Gray do next as the Carters receive news of Tina?

There’s a harrowing time ahead for Mick (Danny Dyer) and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) in Friday’s emotional double instalment of EastEnders, as they discover the truth about beloved absent relative Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White).

Last week Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) found a body in the abandoned Argee Bhajee, and viewers are already aware that it belongs to Tina.

Evil Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) strangled her to death in December 2020 after she found out that he had abused and killed first wife Chantelle (Jessica Plummer).

Gray has been in a coma since his confrontation with Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Singh Deol), who hit him in self-defence after confronting him about Chantelle.

Read more: Next week on EastEnders: Gray's last stand revealed

But in Thursday’s cliffhanger, Gray regained consciousness in hospital. He currently has no idea that Tina’s body has been unearthed, although he had his concerns after there was a gas leak in the building.

The residents of Walford haven’t yet heard further details — but this is set to change as the Carters are about to be given news that will shatter them to the core. Mick has only just received wife Linda’s (Kellie Bright) petition for divorce, but there’s a much bigger bombshell in store.

Read more: Next week on Emmerdale

How will Shirley and the clan cope in the wake of this devastating revelation? There's a powerful performance from Linda Henry that is sure to move fans. Although obviously broken over the loss of Tina, if we know Shirley she will also be raging, desperate to get justice for her sister.

Little does she know that Tina was murdered by her ‘charming’ neighbour and friend.

She has been trying to locate Tina since her disappearance, believing her to have gone on the run for the attack on Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

Read more: EastEnders spoilers: Tina's body discovered

Thanks to Gray’s manipulations, the family were previously confident that Tina was alive and well, had been using her bank card and had been seen around London. Will Shirley connect the dots and realise that all roads lead back to Gray?

And what will Gray’s next move be? Will he seal Kheerat’s fate and mislead everyone by claiming that the man viciously attacked him?

Or will Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) be able to convince the police that Gray is the dangerous one?

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With his secrets beginning to unravel, can Gray continue to hold his nerve, or will his recovery and the stress of covering up his crimes lead to his undoing?

It’s been a long time coming, so let’s hope his days are finally numbered.

EastEnders continues with a double-bill at 8pm and 8:30pm.

Watch the latest EastEnders spoilers