EastEnders fans believe they have worked out how Kellie Bright's character Linda Carter will leave the BBC soap, with predictions pointing to a return for Danny Dyer's Mick Carter and four additional cast exits.
The actress recently announced she is quitting the show after 13 years, with the soap teasing that her departure will be part of an "exciting" storyline.
Kellie Bright's departure announcement
Kellie Bright confirmed she is leaving EastEnders after 13 years, saying: "EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye.
"I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay. I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys."
Fan theories about Linda's exit
Fans know Linda must remain on the show until at least 1 January 2027, as she appeared in the flashforward episode aired earlier this year. Many believe that date will mark her exit.
They have speculated that Danny Dyer, who played her husband Mick Carter before he went missing at sea in 2023, will return to carry her off into the sunset - especially as his ex-wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) is set to make a comeback.
One fan said: "Makes me wonder if she decided to leave before the flashforward and her scenes in it will be her exit. Now I think there's a good chance Mick is revealed to still be alive, and he comes back briefly for them to leave together. Janine's brief comeback could also factor in if there's something to do with her and Mick's son."
Another added that Mick had "got to come back for her", while a third said: "I wonder is this means the rumours about Mick coming back are true as unrealistic as it would be I could settle with a happy ending for Linda if Mick somehow was back from the sea."
A fourth referenced the rumours about Danny Dyer's return, saying: "Wasn't it reported a couple of weeks ago Danny Dyer would be briefly reprising his role? If so that makes sense that it'll be for Linda's exit as it's all I could see him coming back for."
Possible additional exits
Alongside returns, some fans have suggested there could be four more exits linked to Linda's departure. One fan suggested her mother Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) might leave too, as could her son Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) - though others pointed out that Elaine's budding romance with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and the recent renovation of Peacock Palace might mean she is a big enough character to keep around.
Another fan noted that Linda has two more children on the Square who haven't been seen much recently. "Does this mean Annie and Ollie are gone too?" they asked. "Haven't seen much of Ollie since the Louie storyline and Annie seems to have disappeared so can see them axing her even though Max is still on the Square."
Ollie is the youngest child of Linda and Mick, while Annie is the daughter of Max Branning (Jake Wood). Both are children and have no storylines of their own, so fans felt it made sense for them to leave with their mother.
