A terrorist bomb plot will reportedly be central to EastEnders' Christmas storylines this year.

According to The Sun, the unusual storyline will see a bomb placed somewhere in Albert Square, "putting all the residents' lives at risk".

A source told the newspaper: "With the battle for ratings harder than ever, bosses are really keen to pull out the big guns for an explosive 2021 - in this case, quite literally.

"Scripts have been written focused around a bomb being planted in Albert Square - no-one will be safe.

"Bosses are staying tight-lipped about exactly what they have coming up for Christmas this year, but they are pulling out all the stops.

"With secrets plotted all over the Square, it's only right and in typical EastEnders style that many of these look set to be exposed around the festivities.

"Put it this way, if you lived in Albert Square, you'd be grateful to receive just a pair of socks this year."

Over the weekend the soap confirmed that Maisie Smith will be leaving her role as Tiffany Butcher-Baker this Christmas, although the door has been left open for a future return, suggesting that the terrorism storyline will not see her character killed off.