Yahoo News EastEnders' Mick has Christmas Day panic attack as Linda goes AWOL
EastEnders' Mick Carter could face a miserable time over the festive season, as his wife Linda is nowhere to be seen on Christmas Day.
Mick (Danny Dyer) has to struggle on without Linda when she's absent on what should be a happy time for the Carter family.
The latest crisis for the clan unfolds when Mick starts to become more vocal with his concerns over Linda's drinking.
Mick's patience is tested when Linda behaves badly during the 'Ball and Change' winners dinner with Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) and Max Branning (Jake Wood) on Christmas Eve.
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Things start off on a bad note when Linda dresses up for the meal, having misinterpreted a joke from Ruby.
As the dinner continues, Linda drinks too much and ends up sharing some harsh words with a stunned Ruby.
Mick is appalled by his wife's behaviour and pours her wine down the sink. Linda turns her fury to Mick, but is mortified when their young son Ollie overhears the row.
Linda ends up leaving the pub and drinking alone in the Square gardens, where she falls asleep.
Related: EastEnders teases exciting Christmas storylines in 35 new spoiler pictures
The next morning, Linda is at rock bottom and the Carters panic over the fact that she's mysteriously missing on Christmas Day.
Mick is determined to have a good Christmas regardless, especially as his eldest son Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) is back home for the holidays.
The pub landlord throws himself eagerly into the festivities, but when the worry proves too much, he suffers a panic attack. When will Linda come home?
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Kellie Bright, who plays Linda, recently said: "The thing about Linda is that when she is drunk, you see a side to her you've not seen before and it's very unpredictable, dark and dangerous.
"I think her drinking gets as bad as it could. What she does whilst under the influence of alcohol is pretty horrendous."
EastEnders airs these scenes on Christmas Eve at 7.30pm and Christmas Day at 9.30pm on BBC One.
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website. Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkaware.
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