EastEnders SPOILER: Phil Mitchell pulls a GUN on rival Max Branning... as it's revealed there'll be a death on the Square in jaw-dropping Christmas scenes

By Rianne Addo For Mailonline

Published: 20:01 EST, 23 December 2017 | Updated: 20:02 EST, 23 December 2017

He is recognised as one of the soap's leading hardmen, with a long history of undertaking dangerously harmful tasks.

And Phil Mitchell [Steve McFadden] is set to prove no different as he will come to blows with nemesis Max Branning [Jake Wood] in the highly anticipated Eastenders' Christmas episodes - armed with a deadly gun.

This shocking clash will come amid the unruly death of a main character this festive season.

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Dangerous: Phil Mitchell is set to adhere to his hardmen persona as he will come to blows with nemesis Max Branning in the highly anticipated Eastenders' Christmas episodes - armed with a deadly gun

Dangerous: Phil Mitchell is set to adhere to his hardmen persona as he will come to blows with nemesis Max Branning in the highly anticipated Eastenders' Christmas episodes - armed with a deadly gun

In images from the imminent scene, the mechanic appears frantic as he holds onto the pistol weapon - set for use on Max.

Phil progresses the heated encounter into a full blown fight as he is pictured furiously hitting the fictional father to Lauren and Abi Branning.

Dressed in dark attire, the scene is expected to send fans into meltdown in conventional Eastenders style.

Heated: Phil progresses the encounter into a full blown fight as he is pictured furiously hitting the fictional father to Lauren and Abi Branning

Heated: Phil progresses the encounter into a full blown fight as he is pictured furiously hitting the fictional father to Lauren and Abi Branning

This physical encounter comes amid conformation that there will be a death during the Christmas special episodes.

In the images, Max appears in deep sorrow outside a church hall, as he is surrounded by a coffin and condolence flowers. 

According to The Daily Star, the show's bosses ensured all relevant cast members were on set to distract speculation on who the character could be for the highly secured plot.

Show boss John Yorke revealed: 'I came up with this line "Someone old, someone new, someone's dead, someone's blue".

Black Christmas: This Christmas Day is set to deliver one of EastEnders' traditional festive tragedies - as bosses have revealed there will be a shock death

Black Christmas: This Christmas Day is set to deliver one of EastEnders' traditional festive tragedies - as bosses have revealed there will be a shock death

'We really want this Christmas to be full of shocks and surprises and we have some shocking twists coming up.'

This refers to the fact that the characters of Linda and Mick Carter [played respectively by Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer] are set to renew their wedding vows after a tumultuous year. 

EastEnders has celebrated boosted ratings this year thanks to it's extreme storylines. 

Ho Ho... No! Show boss John Yorke revealed -- 'I came up with this line "Someone old, someone new, someone's dead, someone's blue"'

Ho Ho... No! Show boss John Yorke revealed -- 'I came up with this line "Someone old, someone new, someone's dead, someone's blue"'

In addition to the Carter renewal, Stacey Fowler [Lacey Turner] and Max Branning will find themselves re-igniting the spark after their affair was exposed 12 years ago.

Yorke used to be the soap's script editor but now runs things; he's been instrumental in bringing fan favourites like Mel back, as well as Kat and Alfie Moon [Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie].

The couple's return has also prompted the characters of Big Mo [Laila Morse] and Jean Slater [Gillian Wright] to return. 

High drama: Stacey Fowler [Lacey Turner] and Max Branning [Jake Wood] will find themselves re-igniting the spark after their affair was exposed 12 years ago

High drama: Stacey Fowler [Lacey Turner] and Max Branning [Jake Wood] will find themselves re-igniting the spark after their affair was exposed 12 years ago

Ten years later: Yorke hinted that as well as a death, the Christmas instalments of the show will bring Max and Stacey's affair 'full circle' - with first-look pictures promising steamy scenes on Christmas Eve

Ten years later: Yorke hinted that as well as a death, the Christmas instalments of the show will bring Max and Stacey's affair 'full circle' - with first-look pictures promising steamy scenes on Christmas Eve

Another return: Yorke used to be the soap's script editor but now runs things; he's been instrumental in bringing fan favourites like Mel back, as well as Kat and Alfie Moon [Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie]

Meanwhile, Yorke has promised that 'strong women are back at the heart of the show' as he teased a Christmas episode details.   

Yorke hinted that as well as a death, the Christmas instalments of the show will bring Max and Stacey's affair 'full circle' - with first-look pictures  promising steamy scenes on Christmas Eve.

The executive producer said: 'I realised there were a lot of stories running that lent themselves to significant endings, but one story was crying out in particular for the EastEnders treatment. 

Back in the spotlight: Meanwhile, Yorke has promised that 'strong women are back at the heart of the show' as he teased a Christmas episode details

Back in the spotlight: Meanwhile, Yorke has promised that 'strong women are back at the heart of the show' as he teased a Christmas episode details

'I was head of department of continuing drama 12 years ago, when the Brannings were introduced to Albert Square, and the temptation to square that circle and bring that story to a full ending was pretty hard to resist. 

On the dramatic climax to come, actor Jake Wood told the Press Association: 'I think the Christmas episodes are some of the best I've ever read.

'It feels like you're at the centre of something very special so I'm just honoured to be in that position.' 

Happy holidays? On the dramatic climax to come, actor Jake Wood told the Press Association -- 'I think the Christmas episodes are some of the best I've ever read'

Happy holidays? On the dramatic climax to come, actor Jake Wood told the Press Association -- 'I think the Christmas episodes are some of the best I've ever read'

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