EastEnders: major character DROWNS in Thames to mark soap’s 35th anniversary

The week starts with Mick Carter celebrating his birthday, unbeknownst to him his wife Linda has completely forgotten.

Mortified she rushes out and quickly arranges a surprise birthday party but Shirley Carter is left unimpressed.

Linda continues to struggle with going sober but when Chantelle Atkins asks her out for a drink and she declines, Mick is left beaming.

Unfortunately as the evening progresses, Linda battle becomes too much and when Mick discovers Ollie was left alone it dawns on him that his wife has been drinking.

On her way to the Prince Albert she spots Sharon and the two women call a truce. However when Shaz opens up about her fears for Keanu, Linda drunkenly lets it slip that he's still alive…

The following day a hungover Linda is left humiliated when Mick relays what she was up to the previous night but she's quick to turn it on him.

Shirley overhears the commotion and keen to protect her son, she finds Linda's secret stash of alcohol and – with the help of Tina Carter – she tries to get Mick to see sense.

Their conversation is cut short when Mick receives a call from Ollie's school who explain that a social worker has been informed as Ollie is suffering.

At home, Mick asks Chantelle to look after Ollie but when a drunken Linda reacts hysterically, he resorts to desperate lengths to protect his wife. Later, Linda denies all knowledge of her conversation with Sharon about Keanu however she's forced to reveal the truth when Shaz threatens to ask Martin.

When Linda arrives at E20 she leaves everyone concerned with her behaviour… Mick steps in and desperately tries to get her home.

Over to the Mitchell household, Phil plans a family meal for his birthday. He's left relieved when Louise agrees to attend but he's then left worried when she lashes out at him and Ben Mitchell.

Phil and Sharon share some harsh words but it later becomes clear that she's devastated about being shunned when she spots all the Mitchells celebrating her hubby's birthday without her.

Lisa is left worried by Louise's behaviour and tells Phil that they're moving to Portugal. However her plans are cut short when Phil refuses - he wants to keep Louise close.

The Mitchells are left panicking as past events come back to haunt them. Sharon has the upper hand – but what will she do to get revenge on those who have deserted her?

Meanwhile Sonia's guilt continues to grow and when Martin hits out at her, she struggles to contain her emotion. Bex Fowler later vents to her mum about Martin…

Despite Leo's plans to ruin her business, Kat is ecstatic when Whitney Dean sets up a meeting with a new client – Mr Hobbs.

Kat is left elated after being offered the contract but it soon dawns on her how Leo has been meddling behind the scenes.

Later on in the week Kat is left reassured when she opens up to boyfriend Kush Kazemi about her past.

Stuart is horrified when Rainie targets Jean and Daniel. However they're unaware that Jean and Daniel are really the ones in control and later they begin to run rings around Rainie and Stuart.

Ian prepares for his election winner's party but he is left stressed when he realises he hasn't booked a venue. He then tries to sweet talk Ruby into using the club – but will she forgive him?

Ian then tries to rally round his residents and asks them to vote for him in the election. After a close call, Ian wins the election.

Lola Pearce urges Sheree to make things right with Patrick and after plucking up the courage, she visits him.

Patrick is not prepared for her bombshell… Things get off to a rocky start when he meets Isaac for the first time. Luckily as they get to know each other they start to bond.