Fans think they know which character will target the Brannings on EastEnders amid a gunman mystery.

Viewers will recall that on New Year’s Day we got a glimpse at January 1 2027. In the episode, someone with a gun threatened the lives of Max’s kids Lauren and Oscar Branning.

Taking them hostage, the person warned Max he had to choose which of his children to save. it’s not yet clear if one of them will die, or who is targeting Max.

Motives are also not yet known but now fans are speculating over the gun wielding character’s identity. A new theory is that it could be new villain, amid spoilers confirming a kidnapping twist that airs next week.

Fans think new baddie Tim will return to target Max and his family in January, wanting payback for his own kidnapping ordeal. One viewer speculated: “Tim will be the gunman.”

It comes amid spoilers teasing that next week, Max threatens Tim. After he finds out about what Tim has done to Johnny Carter and Callum Highway, he tells Johnny’s mother Linda Carter he’ll deal with it.

Soon, armed with a crowbar, Max pretends to be Tim’s taxi driver before he attacks him. He seems to shove him in the boot of the car as Tim goes to put something in there.

That said, another image shows him driving the car with Tim appearing oblivious in the backseat. Spoilers reveal that Max terrorises him, before issuing a threat.

It follows Tim taunting Johnny once more, after drama this week. After he had damning footage of Callum and threatened to share it to ruin Callum’s career, Johnny tried to help his partner.

But Tim told Johnny the only way he would delete the footage was if he slept with him. Next week, Johnny is struggling with recent events, and Linda feels guilty after her involvement in the drama with Tim.

When she berates Tim, it’s clear he is unfazed and pushes ahead with his antics. It’s when Linda confides in Max that things take a dramatic turn, and Max kidnaps him.

Linda knows what has happened and she tells Johnny, and soon Callum finds out everything. As Linda is frantic over what Max might do, we see the fan favourite making it clear to Tim that he needs to leave.

As his revenge plan unfolds, Max tells Tim to never set foot in Walford again. But how will things be left, and will Tim listen to Max’s chilling advice?