EastEnders viewers have been left dreading what lies ahead for Jack Branning (played by Scott Maslen) as he attempts to conceal the shooting of beloved returning character Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).

During Monday’s episode in Walford (8th September), Jack transformed into a thoroughly bent copper as he schemed against local crime boss Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) following Zoe’s shooting the previous week.

Whilst Zoe was recuperating in hospital from a single gunshot wound, she struggled to reconnect with her distant mother Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) as she persisted in concealing her ties to Max Branning (Jake Wood).

Meanwhile in the Square, Jack and Ravi persisted in covering their traces following their scuffle over a firearm which led to the incident.

When colleague DS Spencer paid a visit, Jack claimed he possessed an alibi placing him at home with his family during the shooting and suggested he might have spotted known criminal Ravi that evening, reports Plymouth Live.

Jack also disclosed he’s storing the firearm in a safe within his lounge, hidden behind a piece of art, though he left EastEnders audiences tickled when he revealed the safe combination as “1234”.

He insisted Ravi keep a low profile whilst the situation calms down and promised to dispose of the gun, but Ravi was shortly brought to the police station for interrogation as officers linked the weapon to Ravi via the bullet.

Ravi subsequently named Jack as his alibi, forcing Jack to fabricate another story, claiming he was planning to recruit Ravi as a police grass, convincing a reluctant Spencer to release Ravi.

Later, the detective made another visit to Jack, imploring him to see the bigger picture and cooperate in bringing Ravi down.

He then assured Spencer he was willing to help get Ravi convicted, but as he plans to frame Ravi, will Jack be exposed as the one who accidentally fired the gun at Zoe?

EastEnders enthusiasts are forecasting the beginning of Jack’s downfall as he flirts with the law, which they believe will eventually lead to his departure from Walford.

One viewer vented on X: “If Ravi ends up taking Jack down and ruining his career I’m gonna need to write to someone at #EastEnders. I won’t have it!!”

Another predicted: “The Jack and Ravi feud, it’s gonna end badly #EastEnders.”

A third chimed in: “Master criminal Jack Branning’s safe password is “1234” #EastEnders.”

“Jack proving tonight what I’d thought for a long time. He’s the worst copper in the history of TV coppers #EastEnders,” added one viewer.

Meanwhile, on Facebook, one viewer exclaimed: “Jack doesn’t go corrupt again. He has always been a bent copper, who thinks he stands above the law.. Hope some day soon this horrible man gets what’s coming to him.”

“Jack using 1234 as his safe password he’s clearly not the sharpest knife in the draw #EastEnders,” added another.

While another cautioned: “Jack really doesn’t know what he’s doing. Framing Ravi is a massive risk especially as Jack knows what Ravi is capable of and knows who he’s involved with.

“Jack is putting everything on the line including his job and his family. #EastEnders.”