Danny Dyer ‘confirms’ EastEnders return amid Linda exit with huge hints

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.

Well, almost.

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.