EastEnders airs format-changing Linda Carter episode with tragic surprises, but some viewers were left distracted by one detail of harrowing plot

EastEnders has aired a special episode focused on Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) spiralling alcoholism. During the latest trip to Walford (December 16), Linda was forced to choose between drinking or her family, and a night of serious alcohol abuse followed.

The episode, which is available to watch now on iPlayer, sees an erratic Linda as she grabbed a bottle of vodka confirming she doesn’t want to try and fight against her addiction despite her heartbroken mother Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe) pushing her to attend rehab.

She even violently threw Elaine over her bed, in full view of sons Johnny (Charlie Suff) and young Ollie (Harry Farr). Ollie expressed to Johnny that he was worried about their mum leaving for good like their dad Mick (Danny Dyer) confirming her is aware of Linda’s drinking problem.

Johnny tried to reassure him that Linda will return better from rehab before later giving his mother a drawing Ollie did depicting her drinking on the floor.

Moments later, Linda stormed out of the Vic, bottle in hand, along with a drawing from Ollie.

Linda soon downed the full bottle of vodka before the light flickered and she wandered off into the night. In a format-changing show, Linda’s death scenes and her subsequent funeral were packaged together into one programme.

After a terrifying encounter with a homeless man, Linda violently vomited across the war memorial before experiencing a shortness of breath. Tragically, Linda then died as a result of her drinking.

The police soon arrived at The Queen Vic to inform Elaine Peacock of her daughter’s death. The day of Linda’s funeral then arrived as Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) and Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) returned to say goodbye to their mum.

Clearly struggling, Johnny began hitting the bottle like his mother as he refused to accept what was going on.

A family feud quickly erupted between the Carter’s with Nancy later vowing to take Ollie and Annie away from Walford.

Alone in the pub, the lights began to flicker around heartbroken Elaine. The episode then cut back to Linda on the night of her death as she stood outside the pub, holding the vodka bottle after storming out on Elaine.

Shaking, she looked at the picture that Ollie drew her and in a sudden moment of realisation, she poured the entire bottle of vodka down the drain and headed back into the pub to speak to Elaine.

Linda tearfully declared: “I don’t want to be this person anymore”. When Elaine asked her what had changed, Linda replied: “I saw it all, Mum… what would happen if I don’t stop.

“It’s like someone slapped me round the face and you’re right, the drink is going to kill me, and when I die, everyone’s going to hate me.”

EastEnders viewers were left praising the special episode, however some were left distracted by Ollie’s picture.

Taking to X, one person wrote: “The way I actually scream cackled when I saw this”, followed by laughing face emojis.

A second added: “I had to rewind it a few times because what”, while a third chimed in: “I did laugh when I seen it too!”.

“I’m cryingggg, Olly isn’t playing about man”, exclaimed one viewer as another echoed: “I died at this bit.”

EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer