Just like with Danielle's 'secret' death back in April, I'm so pleased to be able to finally talk about that which should not be mentioned.

I feel like shouting it from the rooftops, actually.

"Darren Miller's the daddy! It's Darren Miller. You know, the 18-year-old budding Walford entrepreneur - the one you wouldn't think looked capable!"



A special thanks to DS's sicko production manager Chris for the insight into that special night back in February...

I've known the answer to that all-important question 'Who's The Daddy?' for quite some time and despite receiving countless emails, texts, phone calls and tweets asking the same thing, I'm actually pleased that nobody spoiled the fun.

Along with the rest of the media world, I was subject to an unsurprising press embargo over the daddy's identity. But when such huge story twists are kept under wraps for an audience to enjoy on screen as it happens, it's great isn't it?

It might be frustrating, but to keep the entire nation in the dark until the final moment is some feat and certainly adds to the enjoyment of watching a serial drama - especially in the online spoiler era.

There are some things better left unspoiled - and this was one of them.

Well, that was until an unnamed supermarket in Greater Manchester decided to leave a bundle of TV magazines for tomorrow's newspapers on the floor near the onions...

Since April 30, fans have been guessing who exactly had planted their bun in the Trott's proverbial oven on that cold February night following the iconic 'yoghurt pot lid under the cubicle door' moment in R&R. I'm just disappointed they didn't film a flashback a la Lost!

As always, some will probably hate the decision to throw Darren into the realms of fatherhood, while some will completely love the idea. I'm on the fence with this one, though. However, of the four 'official' suspects, Darren was the obvious out-of-the-box choice and a lot of viewers jumped to the right conclusion when the whodunnit began.

But are the ramifications proportionate to the obscure choice? Let me know your views at the bottom of this article!

Ahead of the reveal episode going to air, I caught up with DS fan Cheryl Fergison for an exclusive chat about the shock reveal. Here's what she had to say:

What did you think of the reveal moment?
"That scene when Heather said 'George, this is your daddy' and Darren turned on the spot and ran was great! The whole willow effect starts now. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out now."

What was your reaction when you found out who the daddy was?
"I was really pleased for Charlie [G. Hawkins] that he's got a great storyline. I knew it'd be controversial. Having said that, I think viewers will know Heather's character enough to know that it's nothing sinister - it's an innocent thing between them.

"As Cheryl - and it's never been decided - I presumed that Heather was a virgin at the time, as was Darren. There are people in the world that have relationships with age gaps, so good on EastEnders for tackling it and they've written if very sensitively. It's just a story, though!"

How long have you known?
"I've honestly not known that long at all. They didn't tell me and I kept going up to the story office asking but they wouldn't tell me! Then when I did find out, I don't think Charlie even knew! I've really enjoyed it all, though. I've been going around blaming Phillip Schofield!"

Who did you want the daddy to be?
"I think it'd have been nice for it to have been Minty but it'd have been interesting if it'd have been Phil because the relationship with Shirley and Heather would have exploded. I actually don't think Heather would have lived, I'd have probably been killed off by Shirley if that'd have happened. I'd have loved it to have been Dr Totty's baby, too!"

Will Darren make a good dad?
"Darren will be a good dad but he'll be very businesslike about it. He'll say that he doesn't really want to have anything to do with George but will pay his way for him. You'll see him change, though, and you'll start to see him getting attached. Shirley doesn't want Darren to go anywhere near George, though! It'll be interesting to see how they write it from here for Darren, especially with the Libby angle."

When will everyone else find out the identity of the daddy?
"It won't be too long. Let's just say that as well as Shirley, one other person discovers that Darren's the daddy and that causes quite a lot of problems…"

So as one Walford mystery draws to a close, I'll replace the 'Who's The Daddy?' question on my radar with 'Who Killed Archie?'.

Roll on Christmas.

Love or loathe the EastEnders 'Who's The Daddy?' reveal? Let me know your thoughts using the usual form below!

> Click here to read more about the episode
> In Pictures: The 'Who's The Daddy?' Reveal