EastEnders fans were left feeling tearful watching last night’s episode, as Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) left the Queen Vic pub.
Linda chose to put the boozer up for auction as she became ready to start a new chapter in her life. The Carter family has lived in the pub since 2013 and have faced a multitude of dramatic ordeals since then.
In recent years, Linda has dealt with Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) getting lost at sea, murdering Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), covering up his death with The Six and earlier this year, the pub exploded as a result of Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) crashing his car into the side of the building.
And that’s not even the half of it!
It’s no surprise that Linda wants to start again. In the instalment that aired last night, she handed the keys over to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), who became the new owner as a result of Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) gaining access to Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) life insurance.
To get her head around the change, Linda decided to temporarily leave Walford.
Having been handed tickets for a cruise from mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), she packed her belongings and waved goodbye to Albert Square.
The scenes marked a massive end of an era, and fans of the BBC One soap were incredibly moved watching Linda depart.
Taking to social media platform X, this fan said: ‘Truly the end of an era, just glad that this time it’s a decision that’s been made on her terms and she’s been allowed to say a proper goodbye to the old place and that next chapter of linda carter is going to be sublime, i can feel it #eastenders.’
This audience member reflected on the 12 years Linda lived in the pub and wrote: ‘Twelve PHENOMENAL years of having Linda Carter as landlady has come to an end. Kellie has been a powerhouse since joining the show and embodied the landlady role to perfection.
‘Going to miss Linda front and centre in the Vic but excited to see what she moves onto next.’
Another wrote: ‘Still blows my mind that Linda first took over the pub nearly 12 (!!!) years ago, where has the time gone #EastEnders.’
In upcoming episodes, as the Slaters get settled into the Queen Vic, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) will join them.
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The character has been away for a while in search of Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).
When Alfie gets back, Kat wastes no time in confronting him, aware he’s been lying to her.
But how long will it be until she learns of Stacey and Alfie’s secret?
