Danny Dyer has broken his silence after last night's dramatic Christmas Day episode, teasing fans Mick Carter is still alive.
Fans were in shock last night when the character appeared to drown after jumping in the sea to save his ex-wife Linda and Janine.
However, the actor, 45, took to Instagram today from an exotic-looking beach, saying Mick's just 'having a rest'.
Sitting on a sun lounger in his swimming trunks, Danny said: "Don't worry, I know it was emotional last night. It was a very nutty episode, but don't be concerned because I f*****g made it.
"I mean it was a c*** of a swim, but let me tell you it was worth it. Mick needed a rest and a new chapter.
"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my castmates. I love you all, every single one of you and I'm very honoured to have worked with you for as long as I have and I'll relish those moments for the rest of my life.
"I'm not going to name names, there's too many of you, but of course my Carter family mean everything to me.
"It's the end of an era but, like I said, I'm very grateful for everything, including running the Queen Vic. So, again, don't stress and especially the fans who have voted for me and invested in Mick and made him the character he is.
"But you know, he had to get away – Janine was driving him f*****g mad.
"So Merry Christmas, happy new year and don't worry about Mick because he's sweet as a f*****g nut."
Fans flocked to Instagram after Danny's festive post telling the actor how much they'd miss him in the role.
One said: "You are the man", while another gushed: "Legend!"
Fans were in a frenzy after the hour-long post-watershed festive special, when Mick dived into the Dover Strait of the English Channel to save his beloved ex-wife Linda and the evil Janine.
The drama unfolded just one day after Mick and Janine's (Charlie Brooks) wedding, as her staging of the car crash earlier in the year – to frame Linda (Kellie Bright) for being behind the wheel – was finally exposed at the Christmas table.
As Albert Square celebrated Christmas in true Walford-style, Linda and Mick tearfully agreed to give their marriage another go, as he told the publican she was the love of his life.
However, when pregnant Janine scarpered with her passport, the father of her unborn child set off in hot pursuit with Linda as a highly dramatic car chase ensued in hopes they would stop Janine and bring her to justice.
Shortly after the chase, Linda managed to jump in the car beside the villain – who killed her ex Barry by pushing him off a cliff – and the pair plummeted into the Channel waters in a jaw-dropping stunt.
Mick was last seen jumping in and diving down to the car wreckage, where he saved Janine first – after Linda urged to him to. After bringing Janine to the shore, he went back into the sea to save Linda – unaware she had managed to escape to the shore herself.
Linda was then seen on her knees crying as some time passed and Mick did not return.
