EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw has promised that Kellie Bright's Linda Carter will continue to have major storylines in the future.
On the Christmas Day episode of the soap, Linda's first love Mick (Danny Dyer) departed the show in heartbreaking scenes which left him presumed drowned at sea.
Despite the exit of her on-screen partner, Clenshaw has insisted that Bright will remain a major force in Walford going forward - and teased a never-before-seen plot featuring Linda in early 2023.
"Linda's still very much at the heart of Albert Square and it's so great to have Kellie," he told press earlier this month.
"She's not going to get over Mick very quickly. She was just reunited with him then he was snatched away from her so it won't be all smiles straight away.
"There are big plans for Linda. She's going to start shooting something in January that goes out in February and it's something that we as a show haven't done before. Linda's at the centre of that."
He added: "There is a question mark over the future of The Vic at the moment. Kellie knows what's happening and we know what's happening with the Vic. It's very exciting."
EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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