EastEnders' Charlie Slater is to be killed off next year.
Derek Martin
The loveable cabbie, portrayed by Derek Martin, will return to Albert Square over the Christmas period to patch up his relationship with daughter Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).
But 2016 won't get off to a good start for the loud-mouthed market stall holder and her husband Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) after Charlie sadly passes away on New Year's Eve.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Charlie's death is going to hit Kat hard. His storyline will be the catalyst for her to learn more secrets which will see her and Alfie [Shane Richie] eventually head to Ireland.
"Charlie's death is going to be a real tearjerker for the audience, too, and they will be waiting to see if he and Kat can mend bridges before he dies."
Charlie first bounded into Walford in 2000 and left in 2011, but has returned several times for one-off occasions.
Over the past 15 years, the cheeky chap has found himself entangled in some of the show's most memorable storylines.
The insider added: "Charlie has always played a massive part in his daughter's lives. Charlie's return to the show was always to play this storyline."
Tagged in Jessie Wallace Shane Richie Derek Martin