Matt Di Angelo is reportedly set to leave his role as Dean Wicks in BBC One’s EastEnders.
Speaking with The Mirror, a soap insider claimed that Linda’s rapist will ‘get his comeuppance’ in upcoming scenes.
They explained: “Matt’s exit will be explosive. Viewers are in for a nail-biting treat.
“We’re giving nothing away but there’s lots more drama to come.”
While Matt is an outrageously talented actor, we doubt many viewers will be too sad to hear about his character’s departure.
After all, he has been living life as a free man after raping Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) at the Queen Vic after the authorities failed to pursue the case against him.
And, in recent episodes, we have seen the twisted character abusing Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons).
He even went so far as to deliberately burn her at the salon... and Ronnie (Samantha Womack) recently approached the Carters with a plan to get rid of Dean, once and for all.
So far, the soap’s bosses have declined to comment on plans for Dean.
However the series’ executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, has already promised us a satisfying conclusion.
He said previously: “There is justice. And how it’s meted out will be satisfying but shocking too.”
And he hinted that it will be none other than Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) who sets the wheels in motion.
"Ronnie sees her sister with this man she knows is bad. We're going to rip Roxy and Ronnie apart a bit. What I think is exciting is bringing Ronnie into the arena with the Carters.
“Ultimately, neither Ronnie nor Mick wants Dean in Walford, and Ronnie is saying, ‘Come on, we shouldn’t have Dean around anymore’."
He added: “It is hard that Dean's still around, and I know we've had criticism, but these things aren't just tied up. It's the same with the Beales and Bobby - you can't play out the big whodunit and have the next scene be Ian and Jane sat choosing curtains. That's boring.
"In reality, Mick and Linda would have to get on with their life with Dean across the road. We have storylined the climax to that for the end of the year."
Matt Di Angelo, who plays Dean, returned to EastEnders in early 2014 on a one-year contract.
He later signed another 12-month deal, which means that Dean will remain in Walford for at least a little while longer...