EastEnders' beloved Heather Trott could be killed off by Ben Mitchell, according to reports.

The troubled teen, played by Joshua Pascoe, will apparently turn into a cold-blooded murderer after a heated row with the mother-of-one - played by Cheryl Fergison - at her flat.

Ben's dad Phil (Steve McFadden), who is thought to destroy evidence to protect his son, is suspected of committing the murder by girlfriend Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), with a number of other Walford residents also finding themselves under suspicion as Heather's murder sends shockwaves through Albert Square.

An EastEnders spokesperson commented: "Heather's life will go through various twists and turns over the next couple of months which will place numerous people in the frame."

Cheryl's exit from the BBC soap was confirmed last September, with EastEnders bosses saying that her current contract had come to a natural end.

Heather, who first appeared on screens in June 2007, will be immortalised in soap history as the hapless cleaner who loves cheese, karaoke and George Michael. She had a son George, named after her favourite music idol, with then teenager Darren Miller (Charlie G Hawkins).