EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy pays tribute to co-stars Danny Dyer and Charlie Brooks following their epic exits.
Viewers saw Danny and Charlie’s sensational exits from the BBC soap over the festive episodes.
Danny’s character Mick Carter was killed off and lost at sea after attempting to rescue the love of his life Linda from an underwater car.
Meanwhile, Charlie’s character Janine was arrested as her brother Ricky called the police after forcing daughter Scarlett to lie for her.
Natalie, 39, who plays Sonia Fowler took to social media to share that she “had so much love” for the pair following their last episode.
She posted a selfie of the three of them dressed to the nines for the Christmas party.
Despite their tragic exits, the trio were all smiles as they beamed at the camera.
Natalie captioned the pic: “@officialdannydyer @charlie_brooks_xx the love I have for these two. Smashed it.
“I shall miss you but know we will see each other outside of Albert square’. @bbceastenders [executive producer] @chris_clenshaw proper old school Christmas and my friends and fellow actors were incredible.”
Charlie commented: “Don’t like not seeing you every day!! Love you darling. Can’t wait to see you VERY SOON”.
Natalie also praised her co-stars Danielle Harold and Jamie Brothwick for their dramatic performance during the Christmas day episode.
Emotional scenes saw Jay and Lola are battling a her cancer storyline.
But there was some good news after Jay proposed to Lola.
Natalie wrote: “@danielle_harold and @jamie_b10 [who play Lola Pearce and Jay Brown respectively] are absolutely amazing. So proud. X”
Linda Carter actress Kellie Bright, 46, also paid tribute to her co-star and on-screen husband after spending nine years working together.
Taking to Instagram, Kellie posted black and white selfie of the two on their last day on set together.
She penned: “My Mick…. It was only a matter of time…’ Kellie Penned. ‘But who would have thought that it would have taken 9 years for Mick and Linda to finally come to an end. It has been, without a doubt, the best years of my life so far…
“For many reasons, but YOU @officialdannydyer are definitely one of them.
“This photo was taken on our last day on set together (we were both a bit puffy eyed from the water tank) but it really sums us up. We made each other smile. Every day.
“I will always be grateful for that. Sad as I am that our TV coupling is over, Kellie and Danny will be friends forever. Thank you for EVERYTHING. See you in the real world very soon. Love your L 
.”
Mick and Linda’s epic love story had many ups and downs – and Mick dying to save her makes a fitting end for the character.
The couple first rocked up to Albert Square as the new owners of the Queen Vic Pub in 2013.
Since then they have tackled major storylines such as Linda’s rape, Lee Carter’s depression, Johnny Carter coming out as gay and Mick’s child abuse.
Mick’s final scenes saw reunite with Linda and Janine abandoning her daughter to flee, hoping to escape before the police arrived.
They followed Janine all the way to Dover – where they caught up with her and tried to stop her – but she fought back and knocked Mick down.
Jumping in her car, she went to drive off but Linda threw herself in and tried to stop Janine from driving off.
But as the pair fought, Janine drove the car off a cliff and crashed into the sea.
Mick raced after them and then threw himself over it after them diving down to rescue the women.
Linda told Mick to save Janine and the baby, and once he dragged her onto the beach, he went back under for Linda.
However in a heartbreaking twist, Linda freed herself and had clambered her way out while Mick dived back down, never to be seen again.
