EastEnders confirms heartbreaking Linda Carter death twist in major spoiler

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EastEnders has aired a heartbreaking death twist in a newly formatted episode about Linda Carter's alcoholism.

Viewers have seen the much loved character hit rock bottom in recent episodes, and last week mother Elaine issued her with an ultimatum - to go to rehab that night or leave the family home at the Queen Vic for good.

In Monday's episode, which has already aired on BBC iPlayer ahead of its usual 7.30pm slot this evening, Elaine and Linda were at loggerheads again.

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Ollie drew a picture of Linda drinking herself to death and gave it to his mum. After an explosive row with her family, Linda chose alcohol and left the pub with a bottle of vodka.

As Linda threw Ollie's drawing on the ground and raised the bottle to her lips, in an EastEnders first, the episode played out a scenario of what would happen to Linda if she chose to carry on drinking.

As Linda aimlessly wandered around Albert Square, she ran into fellow alcoholic Glen, but quickly scarpered when he began to touch her inappropriately.

Returning to the Square, Linda was in agony and vomited before collapsing. The next day, the police arrived at the Queen Vic to tell Elaine that Linda was dead.

The next scene showed Linda's funeral, which included special appearances from Danny Hatchard and Maddy Hill, who reprised their roles as Lee and Nancy.

A struggling Johnny started to drink heavily himself and refused to carry his mum's coffin. Pals Alfie, Phil and Stacey regretted they didn't do more to help her.

The funeral descended into chaos when Sharon read out a eulogy as Johnny fumed Linda didn't accept help and Nancy slapped Elaine across the face, accusing her of enabling her daughter's drinking.

Back at the Queen Vic, Lee, Nancy and Johnny said their goodbyes and left for Manchester, promising to come back soon to get Ollie and Annie.

Elaine cut the funeral short and demanded everyone leaves, while Sharon maintained that she did nothing wrong and Linda made the decision to drink.

The episode then cut back to Linda standing outside her home in the present day. In a powerful moment, she poured the bottle of vodka away instead.

Going back into the pub holding Ollie's drawing, she told Elaine that she would get help and go to rehab.

"I just don’t want to die, mum," she said. "I really don’t want to die."

These scenes air in EastEnders, Monday night at 7.30pm on RTE One and BBC One.

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