EastEnders viewers were devastated tonight when Dennis Mitchell lost his life.
The 13-year-old drowned in the Thames during the explosive 35th anniversary special - leading heartbroken mum Sharon Mitchell to break down in tears.
While it came as a shock to most viewers, the EastEnders scriptwriters left sneaky clues about his untimely demise throughout the week and way back last year.
It seemed like the schoolboy had survived when Ian Beale used a fire extinguisher to smash down the door of the locked room.
There was some powerful imagery as Kathy Beale helped deliver Sharon's baby boy just as her son Ian managed to pull Dennis through a small hole in the door.
Kathy told Sharon: "Two boys - good luck with that. Take it from the poor mother who knows."
And in some dark foreshadowing, Sharon told her newborn son: "You gave me quite a scare there. But everything is going to be alright sweetheart. Everything will be fine.
"Your brother will be here soon and then we'll all go away for a new start. Just the three of us."
Some clever EastEnders viewers had predicted Dennis may die after he left a voicemail to his mum.
Panicking Dennis said: "Look mum, I can't get through to you. Ian's locked me on a room on the boat. I need help, I can't get out."
And now the voice note will come back to haunt Ian, who everyone believes is a hero, as it confirms he was partly responsible for what happened.
There was also a massive clue way back last year when Sharon made a promise to Louise on Dennis' life.
Harking back to the moment, Sharon told Keanu: "This is my fault. I promised Louise on his life."
Turning on Keanu, she added: "I thought this is what love looked like. If you and me had never…if I’d never let you into my life I’d still have my son. I never want to see you again. Get out!"
It remains to bee seen as to whether Ian will be exposed as it is not known whether Dennis' voice note went through to Sharon.
At the hospital, Ian asked what happened to Dennis and broke down as Kathy explained that the poor lad didn't make it,
Believing her son to be a hero, Kathy said: "You were rescued together. Ian, you did everything you could trying to save that poor boy. I am so proud of you."
Evil Ian failed to mention that he locked Dennis in the room in the boat which inadvertently led to his death.
*EastEnders airs on BBC One on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm
