EastEnders viewers were left concerned after scenes aired showing pub landlady Linda Carter (played by Kellie Bright) unconscious in the Square’s garden following a day of dramatic events.
The episode, which was broadcast on Wednesday (December 11) and is now available on iPlayer, saw Linda hit rock bottom. Her close friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) was furious after discovering her home had been burgled and Albie’s presents stolen due to Linda’s errors.
Sharon also berated Linda for hiding wine in her cup and soiling the bed sheets while drunk, leaving the Watts family frustrated with her actions.
She demanded that Linda apologise to Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for stealing wine from the Minute Mart, and to her son Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) for neglecting her children.
While at the Minute Mart, Linda apologised to Alfie for her behaviour, but he questioned whether she would return to her aggressive ways when she drank later, reports MyLondon.
Linda responded with a series of insults towards a distressed Alfie, leading his partner Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) to intervene.
On Bridge Street, Linda hid behind a market stall when she saw Johnny walking with his little sister Annie. When Linda approached Johnny and Annie, she falsely claimed she was sober, but her son quickly left with Annie.
Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) spotted Linda’s distress and picked up her half-sister Annie’s dropped soft toy. Lauren, who has previously struggled with alcoholism and is now battling a painkiller addiction, was the first to intervene.
During the Beale’s Eels Santa float event, a drunken Linda took centre stage, climbing onto the float where Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), dressed as Father Christmas, was seated. She pretended to kiss him, causing Ian to tumble from the float.
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) stepped in to help Linda down, but she soon became the subject of ridicule after another embarrassing incident. Phil and Lauren later sat Linda down in the Queen Vic upstairs, giving her some tough love and urging her to join them at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
They finally got Linda to admit she’s an addict.
Johnny also expressed his concerns about the possibility of losing his mum, leaving Ollie and Annie without parents. However, he soon told his mother to leave the pub, stating he wouldn’t let her harm their family anymore and she could return once she’d changed.
Zack Hudson (James Farrar) stopped Linda from re-entering Sharon’s house, leaving her alone and distraught. Linda cried out that she needed a friend “after everything” she’d done for Sharon, before stumbling away.
At the cafe, Bernie (Clair Norris) told Linda she’d forgive her for Keanu’s death if she prioritised her family and quit drinking.
The episode ended with Linda slumped on a bench beside the Square’s Christmas tree, losing consciousness and sparking concern among viewers about her well-being.
One worried fan posted on X: “Linda in 2019 and today…don’t like where this is going, she’ll be getting hyperthermia or worse # EastEnders.”
Another viewer cried out: “LINDA NOOOOOO #EastEnders.”
A third fan speculated: “I feel like they’re teasing Linda’s death at Christmas #eastenders.”
A fourth viewer commented: “Oh god no drunk Linda falling asleep on a bench while it’s night and cold. This is either going to result in hospitalisation or she’s straight up gonna die n freeze on that bench #EastEnders.”
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer