Danny Dyer has described his final scenes as Mick Carter on EastEnders as being on "another level".
In a packed Christmas Day episode, Mick finally learned the extent of the lies told by new wife Janine (Charlie Brooks) and ended things with her before reuniting with his first love Linda (Kellie Bright).
A car chase ensued when Janine attempted to flee but amid the madness, she lost control of her car and drove it over a cliff with Linda also inside.
Mick dived down into the water and rescued Janine then returned for Linda - unaware that she had already reached safety herself. Mick failed to return to shore, leading to the assumption that he drowned.
Speaking to press about the climactic scenes, Dyer said: "I wanted it to be more cinematic and take EastEnders to another level. I don't think we are known for our show being sexy.
"We tackle really tough subjects. It is such a tough gig. It is so intense. But when we get it right, I don't think there is any other show like it on TV."
He added: "It's very emotional for me... I'm very attached to the show.
"But 20 years I've been knocking about in our industry, for nearly 10 I've been in the show, and to make the decision I made – I didn't make it lightly, you know, because it's a huge job to walk away from and I thought long and hard about it.
"And I just wanted it to be a fitting end. So hopefully it is – there was an alternative ending to be fair, but we've not gone with that."
EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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