WITH Christmas mere weeks away, BBC viewers are getting ready to celebrate... and wave goodbye to Mick Carter.
But what could his former on-screen wife Linda be up to once actor Danny Dyer leaves EastEnders? We've got some theories.
1. Have a makeover
The Vic landlord is set to bow out of the BBC One soap in explosive scenes due to air on Christmas.
Danny has been snapped alongside Charlie Brooks aka Janine Butcher, jumping off a cliff to his apparent death.
But while fans are eagerly waiting to find out how Mick has been written off, Kellie Bright recently promised Linda would begin "a new chapter" of her life following his exit.
And what better way to symbolise this than with a wardrobe shake-up?
As loved as Linda Carter is, the same can't be said for her style.
Since her EastEnders debut in 2013, the Vic barmaid has always sported bright and patterned clothing and clearly stated through her fashion sense that pink was her favourite colour.
But after saying goodbye to Mick, it may be time for her impeccably tightened updos and colourful clothing to be thrown out of the picture to make room for a new and improved Linda.
2. Boot the bottle for good
Speaking of which, Linda has been battling her alcohol addiction for years.
Needless to say her path to recovery has been messy, plagued with many relapses despite her best intentions.
It ultimately caused damage to her marriage with Mick and the union eventually broke down.
But what if Mick's exit is the boost she needs to finally cut alcohol out of her life for good?
Linda has recently been distracted by his relationship with Janine, which led her straight into hospital earlier this year.
And while she's made progress, working behind a bar could become hard for her after having to part ways with a man she once considered the love of her life.
3. Focus on her family
While she's been trying to hold herself together as her former husband showed off his new relationship to the Square, it may have been easy for Linda to lose sight of her responsibilities as a mother.
Upon her return, her youngest daughter Annie, born from her affair with Max Branning, seemed to dodge the spotlight.
However, the one-year-old girl was later mentioned as Linda fought to keep her following a car crash she was made to be responsible for.
Since then, Linda's children have kept a backseat from the ups and downs of life in Walford as the barmaid watches her former husband Mick move on with another woman.
But with Mick out of the picture - and Janine likely to leave soon after him - Linda could finally have time for herself and her children, away from any pesky love triangle.
Mick's exit could also be the chance for her to reconnect with her adult offspring who have made a new life for themselves away from Albert Square.
Such is the case of Nancy Carter who left her family behind in Walford after being betrayed by Zack Hudson.
Linda and Nancy haven't had the most peaceful of relationships throughout the years - could Mick's farewell bring them closer?
4. Move on from Mick
Speaking of connections, Linda could make a bunch of new ones after Mick's exit.
As mentioned above, the former pub landlady has been focused on recovering from her alcohol addiction and her rivalry with Janine Butcher who has stopped at nothing to keep Mick by her side.
Yet in recent EastEnders scenes, Linda has been trying to get back out there and find herself a new man.
Viewers also couldn't help but notice budding chemistry between her and Shane Richie's Alfie Moon.
The latter was recently seen helping Linda out in the Vic as she prepared for Halloween.
And with his former wife Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) moving on with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), there's a chance Alfie could do the same with Linda.
Then again, after continuous love drama, Linda may want to make the most of single life and focus on herself.
5. Leave Walford
What if this meant a fresh start somewhere else?
Linda made her EastEnders debut alongside her family in 2013 and life in Walford has made her go through severely rough times.
Mick's departure from the Square may be the last straw for her.
In 2021, when actress Kellie Bright left our screens to go on maternity leave, Linda was enjoying her time away from the fictional London borough.
Janine found her in December that same year in another pub - and it appeared she was in a better place.
Will Linda get away once again?
Only time will bring answers.
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday.
