EastEnders has aired the exits of four major characters as the new era of the Queen Vic begins with a new landlady.

Having reluctantly decided to sell up, Linda Carter and her mum Elaine Knight held an auction for the pub – and it looked like the centre of the community was going to be turned into flats by a greedy developer.

Linda was more concerned about The Vic going to a family who would fill the pub with love, so she cancelled the auction at the last minute and accepted Kat’s offer.

Linda was heartbroken about leaving her home, so Elaine suggested that she and Johnny go on the cruise she had previously bought for Priya, with the family temporarily moving into Kat and Alfie’s flat while they work out a more permanent arrangement.

In today’s episode, Linda got emotional while packing up her things. After all, saying goodbye to the pub also meant saying goodbye to the place where she spent many happy years with her beloved Mick.

She told her mum that she was scared that she would lose her memories of her late husband quicker away from the pub, but Elaine assured her that Mick would always be in her heart.

Before she left, Linda made a rash decision and told Oscar that Annie is Max’s daughter, and therefore his sister.

She asked him not to tell Max the truth, but Oscar was keen to spill the beans himself. Linda begged Lauren to make Oscar see sense, desperate for Max to stay out of the picture.

Later, Linda officially handed over The Vic to Kat but was scared that she’d made a huge mistake by selling up. Kat assured her that the pub was in safe hands and agreed to keep a football scarf behind the bar in memory of Mick.

As Linda prepared to leave for her holiday with Johnny, Annie and Ollie, Oscar promised that he’d keep his mouth shut about Annie’s paternity, having had a chat about Max with Lauren.

After an emotional farewell to barmaid Tracey, Linda said a final goodbye and headed off for a break. But what will the future hold for Linda when she returns?