EastEnders fans are convinced Mick Carter did not die in the dramatic Christmas Day episode of the show.
They're sure that Mick did not drown in the icy cold waters of the English Channel but will have survived, and will turn up later.
And actor Danny Dyer — who played the Vic's landlord — added to the speculation when he posted a jokey TikTok video from a beach, saying he'd "made it" and another urging fans "don't worry about Mick"!
@banterking2023 ♬ original sound - Banterking2023
Now fans are so convinced that Mick could simply be missing rather than dead, that Harold Bishop was trending on Twitter!
Harold was a legendary character from Neighbours who was thought to have drowned, devastating wife Madge, but who had been rescued and was suffering from amnesia. Harold later reappeared in Ramsay Street as part of a visiting Salvation Army band!
Could this have happened to Mick?
The dramatic events of Christmas Day left fans reeling as Mick's new wife Janine was exposed as a liar.
It was revealed Janine had been driving the car when Linda crashed, and had threatened Jada to make her lie to social services.
Mick and Linda were reunited and shared a touching moment at the bottom of the stairs in The Vic. Aww!
But their happiness didn't last, as Janine legged it — taking the photograph of her dad Frank Butcher from the wall, but leaving behind her daughter, Scarlett.
Classic Janine!
Mick and Linda raced after her and they all ended up at the coast. There was a scuffle and as Linda rushed to Mick's side, Janine jumped back in the car, intending to race off!
Linda jumped in too. But when Janine lost control of the car they plunged into the sea!
Mick bravely leapt in to save them and rescued Janine - and his unborn baby - then went back for Linda.
But his L had already swum to shore, and Mick never reappeared.
In the Boxing Day episode , both women made their way back to Walford with Linda breaking the sad news to Shirley that her son wasn't coming home.
But could he return one day?
The fans definitely think so! They were quick to share their theories on social media about a potential return for Mick.
And just about everyone thinks the fact that Mick's body hasn't been seen means - according to the 'rules' of soap - that he could return one day.
#MICK The best thing #Eastenders could do now, is for his body to never be found, leaving a return open for Danny Dyer, should he want that in the future.December 26, 2022
Gonna miss him, esp him behind the bar in The Vic. Poor Linda, Shirley, and his kids. It’s gonna be a dark time for them. 😭 Btw, it was very wise to write the script that way. Lots of possibilities for him to return. I doubt that he’s gone forever.#EastEnders #GoodbyeMick pic.twitter.com/g2mwSEtBgRDecember 27, 2022
And some fans even wrote their own happy endings for the storyline. One creative viewer thinks Mick could have ended up in France. While another wrote a super-romantic reunion for the pair.
the british public on christmas day 2032 when mick carter comes back alive after swimming to france and living in exile for 10 years #Eastenders pic.twitter.com/c3JKTQ9ntwDecember 25, 2022
Give it a few years and Linda will be on holiday in a costal town. Her and Mick's eyes will meet. She will be stunned into silence. His amnesia still holds strong... for now... #eastendersDecember 27, 2022
Could Mick be back one day? Stranger things have happened!
EastEnders usually airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One. Check our TV Guide for more information.
