Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright left EastEnders fans all emotional in an epic throwback photo weeks after they were torn apart forever on Albert Square.
Queen Vic legend Danny, who played fiery landlord Mick Carter, plunged to his death after jumping in the sea to save his ex-wife Linda and twisted Janine.
The tragic Christmas Day scene on the BBC show broke soap fans' hearts - and this snap brought the pain all back.
Taken when the telly pair were younger and long before they stepped foot on the Square, the actors look unrecognisable in what appears to be their early 20s.
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Fresh faced Danny looked like he was ready for trouble as Kellie beamed with her blonde locks.
The account captioned the snap: “This picture got me."
One person replied: “That pic said it all, Mick never stopped loving her - it’s so sad he’s gone.”
Another said: “Literally made me cry, love them together."
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 the women.
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 for being behind the wheel – was finally exposed at the Christmas table.
Mick was last seen jumping in and diving down to the car wreckage, unaware they had managed to escape to the shore themselves.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29072951.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_EastEnders.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29072952.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Kellie-Bright.jpg)
Danny took to social media to raise spirits after his on-screen death.
He said: "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."
Kellie, who of course plays Linda in the soap, revealed there were lots of tears after Mick met his maker.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29072954.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_17241846-high-8dba0b4.jpg)
She told The Sun : "There were lots of tears on and off screen from me!
"I’m terrible at goodbyes anyway, and I hate change. It does feel like a massive end of an era.
"To have someone in your life on a daily basis for nine years and then to have to say goodbye to them is tough. I still speak to Danny all the time, and I’ll still see him, but it won’t be the same."
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