Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) was the loveable landlord of the Queen Vic and patriarch of the Carter family in EastEnders, and his disappearance in 2022 left a huge hole in the family – especially in the life of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
Mick first appeared on our screens in 2013, when he took over as owner of the Queen Vic.
During his nine years on Albert Square, he was a part of some huge storylines, including discovering that Linda’s rapist Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) was actually his brother, and the revelation of his historic child abuse at the hands of Katy Lewis.
In his final months, his marriage to Linda tragically fell apart, and he ended up marrying Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) – something which would ultimately lead to his downfall.
What happened to Mick Carter in EastEnders?
Mick Carter has been ‘confirmed’ dead – but in typical soaps style, that might not be the end of his story.
The character previously went missing on Christmas Day 2022, when he dived into the freezing sea to save Linda from drowning.
Unfortunately, he never resurfaced, leaving Linda absolutely devastated, with the sudden loss confounded by the face a body never appeared.
Many have been left wondering whether Mick could have survived that fateful night, however, later scenes seemed to ‘confirm’ her beloved husband had met his demise.
Linda broke down when Mick’s ‘Presumption of Death’ certificate arrived as it finally hit her that Mick is unlikely to ever be found.
However, in scenes airing in December 2023, there was hope for Linda when she received a text from an unknown number claiming to be Mick, promising to explain everything.
Unfortunately, the text ended up being from Dean Wicks, who had tricked her into meeting him.
Could Mick Carter ever return to EastEnders?
Producer Chris Clenshaw previously acknowledged Danny Dyer’s time on the BBC One soap has ended for now, but is also aware Mick’s exit has offered him the chance to return in the future if he ever wanted to.
‘It’s a soap, anything can happen!’, he said during an appearance on Loose Women in February 2023.
‘There’s an unwritten rule – there wasn’t a body so there’s every chance, will Mick rock back up in Walford in a few years covered in seaweed?’
Actor Danny Dyer has also confirmed he would be open to a return to the soap, saying on The Jonathan Ross Show: ‘If [my career] goes t**s up I can go back. I can turn up in three years’ time, walk in the Queen Vic smothered in seaweed…’
So for now, we’ll just need to keep our eyes peeled for a figure emerging from the deep.
