There is no doubt that 2012 is set to be an exciting year for Eastenders gossip with many characters set to hit the headlines over the next 12 months. So what kind of Eastenders gossip can we expect in the weeks and months ahead?

Pat Butcher

Unfortunately the cat is out of the bag with regards to Pat Butcher who is set to die in the New Year as her cancer takes its toll. Pam St Clement has played the matriarchal Eastenders character for some time now but she will bow out very soon.

Roxy Mitchell

Roxy is set for a very new and very exciting love affair in the New Year with a character who is returning from the past. Can you guess the name of this character - it is somebody who will not go down too well amongst many people in the Square.

Whitney

Despite the fact that Whitney and Fatboy seem to be very much in love at the moment there will be a tug-of-war for Whitney’s heartstrings in the weeks and months ahead. It is fairly obvious which character still has the hots for Whitney.

David Wicks

David Wicks is a character from many years ago who left under a very dark cloud but who is set to return in the New Year. He is one of those characters you either love or you hate but one thing is for certain he will upset many people in Albert Square.

Alfie Moon

Kat and Alfie Moon are set to continue with their rocky marriage in the New Year with Alfie having inadvertently heard Kat suggesting she did not love him. While these two certainly seem meant for each other it will be a rocky year for them again!

These are just a few of the characters who will feature heavily over the next 12 months with new and exciting storylines developing all the time.