EastEnders spoilers follow.
Say it ain't so! EastEnders confirmed last weekend that fan favourite Danny Dyer is bowing out of his popular role as Mick Carter.
The actor will be departing as the Queen Vic landlord at the end of the year "when his contract comes to an end", with an EastEnders spokesperson stating that there is "plenty of explosive drama for Mick to come before he departs Walford".
Danny has since addressed his exit, saying: "It's time to roll the dice. I love everybody here and [EastEnders] has been amazing for me… it's an important part of television. Mick's exit is going to be a very powerful thing.”
But the big question now is: how will Mick leave? And why? Here's a handful of our current theories:
1. Leave with Linda?
While there has been no word on Kellie Bright's future on the show, this is possibly our strongest theory right now. Like Bert and Ernie, Ant and Dec, gin and tonic, and many of life's other iconic duos, we can't imagine a long-term EastEnders future where Linda is without Mick.
Although Mick is currently flying solo in The Vic thanks to Linda's absence, the Carter couple have never stayed apart from each other for too long in their eight-year stint on the show, and we can't see that starting now.
Kellie is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her third child, but will almost certainly be returning to wrap up Mick and Linda's story before Danny Dyer's swansong. So, will Mick and Linda ride off into the sunset together? Time will tell, but we reckon both are long overdue for some happiness.
2. Leave heartbroken?
On the other side of the fence, there's always the opportunity that Mick's chapter won't end with a happily-ever-after with Linda. Sob.
Having been torn apart over Christmas thanks to a scheming Janine, Mick and Linda are currently more distant than ever – and that doesn't look to be rectified anytime soon.
To make matters worse, Mick's anxiety is beginning to creep back in this week's episodes, and he's under even more pressure next week as well. Let's also not forget, there is still the looming cloud regarding Tina's tragic fate, which is bound to knock Mick for six.
While there is still a long, long way to go before Mick bows out for good, could he end up leaving Walford a broken man?
3. Get killed off?
They wouldn't, would they? While we highly doubt EastEnders would want to close the door on Danny's alter ego forever, stranger things have certainly happened. And with serial killer Gray on the loose, who knows what will happen? Could Mick meet a grisly end at the hands of Gray when he discovers the truth about Tina's death?
Thankfully, though, it's looking unlikely that Mick will be leaving Walford in a coffin, and that's coming directly from the horse's mouth.
Speaking on his Sorted with the Dyers podcast with daughter Dani, Danny said: "Let me tell you something - Mick's exit is going to be a very, very powerful thing. I would love the door to be left open, and as far as I know, it is.
"So who knows. When I go out there and I fail miserably I can come back with my tail between my legs and go, 'Will you take me back?' But I just want to send out some love to everyone at EastEnders. I love you all very much.
"It'll be a sad year for me, but I'm also very excited about it. So we're going to attack this year, and we're going to make this year a f**king special one."
4. Johnny and Lee return?
Life has changed significantly for the Carters since they moved to Walford at the end of 2013, with three new additions to the family in that time. Still, Mick and Linda can often be heard referencing their elder sons Lee and Johnny, who were last seen in 2017 and the start of 2018 respectively (although Lee did briefly pop back to the Square as part of Linda's alcoholism story in 2019).
Therefore, another light-hearted exit for Mick could see him decide to move on to pastures new, in a bid to be closer to one of his boys.
Although there's no current word on whether Danny-Boy Hatchard or Ted Reily could reprise their roles as part of Mick's exit (in fact, Danny recently ruled out a return during a Q+A on his Instagram), a return for either Lee or Johnny would seem like a fitting end to Mick's eight-year reign, and would very much leave the door open for a future comeback.
5. Go on the run?
Mick's alliance with scheming Janine was never destined to end well, and despite cutting all ties with her over the festive season, he'll be drawn back into her tangled web next week.
Granted, good guy Mick has been on the wrong side of the law before, he's never one to knowingly walk into trouble – but the presence of Janine could pose an ominous threat.
With his marriage to Linda seemingly over (for the time being, anyway), we're hoping that Mick will continue to keep his wits about him when it comes to Janine – but we aren't banking on it. Could Mick end up leaving Walford under a cloud, thanks to one of naughty Janine's never-ending dramas?
6. Katy returns?
In 2020, EastEnders gave Mick one of his most powerful stories to date when his sexual abuse at the hands of his former social worker Katy Lewis was explored.
Since she was sentenced to ten years in prison, Mick has focused his attention on getting to know his long-lost daughter Frankie, but could that all change if Katy got an early release?
Speaking to Digital Spy at the time of her exit, Simone Lahbib hinted that it might not be the last time we see her alter-ego, Katy.
When asked if we could see Katy again, she said: "Absolutely. I am hoping that either she wheedles her way out or there are some prison visits at least. She might even get her sentence reduced. Hopefully, Katy will be back. We've got Frankie in the still as well so there will always be a link there."
Could Katy's return prompt Mick to up sticks and start afresh elsewhere? We'll have to wait and see.
7. Booted out of The Vic?
They say lightning doesn't strike twice, but the King of The Queen Vic is never completely safe.
He's already been torn away from his beloved pub not once, but twice (one through choice, the other by force) but could it be a third time unlucky for the Carters?
This time, though, perhaps Mick will cut his losses and decide to bow out of the Square for good. But who could be the new owner of the iconic Walford boozer if he does?
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.
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