Four major characters have exited EastEnders following the auction of The Queen Vic, welcoming in a new era with a brand new landlady.

At the start of this week, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) began the auction for her beloved pub, and while it seemed it was going to a developer, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) accosted Linda in the Square, which led to a change of heart.

Linda admitted all she wanted was for The Vic to be run by a family, with plenty of kids running around, something the Slaters have plenty of, which led to Linda telling Kat and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) that the place was theirs.

Following the agreement, Linda was heartbroken about leaving her home, with Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe) suggesting that she and Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) go on the cruise she had previously bought for Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy).

With Linda emotionally packing up The Vic, there was a lot on her mind, and before she left she told Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) that Annie is Max’s daughter, and in turn his sister.

As Linda prepared to leave with Johnny, Annie and Ollie in tow, Oscar promised he’d keep quiet about Annie’s paternity after a heart-to-heart with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).

 

Linda then made her exit from Walford, with details on her return yet to be confirmed.

However, upon her return, drama could very well follow – with the recent announcement that Max Branning (Jake Wood) would be back on the soap later this year.

It has been confirmed that Max will make a brief return in the autumn, with his permanent return scheduled for later this year.

EastEnders has teased that there is plenty Max has missed out on since he left Walford in 2021, with Lauren expected to marry into the Beale family, teenage son Oscar (Pierre Moullier) back in Walford, Stacey widowed, and a secret daughter with ex-lover Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) yet to be discovered…

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