When Kellie Bright confirmed her departure from EastEnders after 13 years, fans were in agreement that there was only really one way Linda Carter’s story could end.
The legendary Walford matriarch, as fans will recall, arrived on the Square with husband Mick (Danny Dyer) back in 2013, taking over the Queen Vic.
In the years that followed, the couple cemented themselves as one of the Square’s greatest of all time, surviving affairs, traumatic ordeals and turbulent events and Linda’s battle with alcoholism.
Despite the atrocities that come hand in hand with living in Walford, they were a rare example of love pretty much conquering all.
Mick and Linda were tragically torn apart in 2022 when, just hours after reuniting, Mick disappeared at sea while trying to save his beloved L from the treacherous waves after his new wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) drove her into the sea.
The scenes in question marked star Danny Dyer’s departure from EastEnders after nine years and began a new chapter for Kellie, with Linda going on to feature in some of her biggest storylines in subsequent years, namely The Six narrative and moving out of the Vic after more than a decade as the local boozer’s landlady.
But with Kellie having decided that now is the right time to hang up Linda’s iconic pink outfits, speculation has turned to just how the BBC One soap will write the Carter matriarch out – and there is really only one exit storyline that will do.
‘Mick better comeback as her leaving storyline,’ said Metro reader Sarah, and it’s a sentiment Emily echoed, writing: ‘Bring Mick back for a while. Then they can leave together. That will be great. Something happy for a change.’
The possibility of a Mick return is something that Danny Dyer has addressed in numerous occasions over the years since his exit scenes.
In 2024, he joked at the NTAs that EastEnders should ‘bring Mick back’, which received quite the reaction from the audience.
Ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary last year, he told the KISS Breakfast Radio Show: ‘I’ve chucked it out there. I think I need to go back and save my wife Linda, who’s now become a murderess.
In 2023, Danny – who is currently starring in Disney Plus’ Rivals and Sky’s Mr Bigstuff, joked that he could always go back to EastEnders and ‘walk in the Queen Vic smothered in seaweed.’
The golden rule in soap is that if there is no body then there is always a chance the character could be brought back – and with bosses having deliberately left the door open and Danny evidently keen, what better storyline to officially pull that thread and tie up a very big loose end?
Let’s face it: A huge chapter in EastEnders history is officially set to close with Linda’s goodbye. An era is coming to an end. If there was ever a storyline to resuscitate Mick from the dead for, it would be this one.
What’s more, a Janine comeback is thought to be on the cards for later in the year, so could this prove to be the catalyst to kickstart Linda’s departure – and Mick’s return?
Linda has been through a lot since she first set foot on Albert Square. If anybody deserves a happy ending it’s her. Let her reunite with the love of her life and have them set off on a new adventure together.
HOT NEWS!!! EastEnders confirms major character is pregnant leaving flashforward mystery ‘solved’
EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s (August 19) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.
Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) made quite the discovery hours after ending her affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood) – and it may shed some light on one of the big flashforward mysteries.
The fan-favourite character, as viewers know, has been sleeping with Max, who is due to wed Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) in the coming weeks.
Cindy remains in the dark about lothario Max’s betrayal and roped Priya in to assist with her hen do.
Priya, meanwhile, was conflicted about her future as, feeling guilty over what they’ve done to Cindy was one thing but when ex Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) popped the question in a tearful moment, it left her certain that ending things with Max was the only logical conclusion.
Max was taken aback by her decision to put a stop to their dalliance but ultimately he realised it was for the best. While Priya weighed up if she truly wanted to marry Ravi, she headed to Cindy’s hen at The Vic – where things took an unexpected turn.
After feeling off all day, she threw up all over Cindy’s dress.
Later, we saw Priya sitting in the ladies loos with a pregnancy test in hand – and a shocked look on her face. She’s pregnant.
The question is: is the baby Max’s? If so, it would certainly add further fuel to the speculation that she is the pregnant woman in Max’s bed on New Year’s Day.
The BBC One soap, as fans will remember, aired a special flashforward episode in January, showcasing what New Year’s Day 2027 will look like on the Square.
On the day in question, Max is getting married to a mystery woman – but there is a pregnant woman sleeping in the bed beside him that’s not his bride-to-be.
With Priya now confirmed pregnant, will she prove to be the woman in question?
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