In a jaw-dropping turn of events in the latest EastEnders episode (BBC iPlayer – Tuesday 5 August), Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) found himself at the center of a devastating scandal after being caught red-handed — and possibly ending a beloved Walford legend’s life.

Viewers were left stunned as Oscar, already spiraling under pressure, was exposed as the mystery assailant behind the brutal incident that left Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) unconscious and bleeding. But what drove the teen to such desperate extremes?

Ever since Oscar arrived back in Walford to live with sister Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), trouble hasn’t been far behind. But things took a darker turn when local troublemaker Mike (Tai Hilferink) discovered Oscar’s whereabouts — and made a horrifying threat. Furious that Oscar had previously ‘grassed’ him to the police, Mike demanded £5,000 in hush money or he’d hurt Lauren’s young children.

Desperate to protect her family, Lauren sold a car and secured an early pay advance from Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) to pay Mike off — but never told Oscar, hoping to shield him from more trauma. Unaware of his sister’s sacrifice, Oscar thought he had no choice but to solve the problem himself.

That’s when he saw Patrick and Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) celebrating a £6K win on the horses — and made a disastrous decision. He broke into Patrick’s house, hoping to grab the cash and go. But fate had other plans.

After a heated argument with Yolande (Angela Wynter), Patrick returned home unexpectedly and caught Oscar in the act. Panicked, Oscar shoved him. Patrick fell hard, striking his head on the floor. As he lay motionless, guilt overwhelmed Oscar. He used Patrick’s own phone to call an ambulance — then vanished into the night.

Howie arrived moments later, but not before catching a glimpse of an ankle tag as Oscar fled. Meanwhile, Lauren, already suspicious of Oscar’s odd behaviour and sudden concern for Patrick, began connecting the dots. And when she discovered the stolen cash — and Oscar preparing to flee Walford — the truth hit her like a freight train.

“Please tell me you didn’t,” she begged, staring at the damning package.

But the damage may already be done.

Patrick was rushed to hospital, with Yolande beside herself with guilt after their earlier row. Now, with doctors running urgent tests, Walford waits anxiously for news: will Patrick survive this cruel twist of fate?

As for Oscar, shattered by the knowledge that Lauren had already paid Mike and that his crime was for nothing, he left the cash with a tearful apology and shared a quiet, gut-wrenching goodbye with his baby nephew Jimmy.