DENNIS’ WATERY ENDER

EASTENDERS fans were shocked to see teen Dennis Rickman drown in a sinking party boat on the Thames last night – while mum Sharon was in hospital giving birth.

The tragic scenes marking the bbC soap’s 35th anniversary came after bosses teased a major character dying.

And it yesterday emerged that actor bleu Landau, who plays Denny, was given the codename Todd in scripts to try to keep his exit a secret.

Producers called the actor, 15, in last year and gave him the news.

Executive producer Jon Sen said: “When we told him, he acted professionally. He was incredibly excited to be at the heart of such a big week. Everyone is always excited to go out with something so adrenalinefuelled like this.”

The Walford crew were partying on the Thames after the Queen Vic won a best boozer award. On

Thursday night, fans saw Phil and ben Mitchell cause the crash while tussling with Keanu Taylor – the father of Sharon’s baby.

Ian beale, played by Adam Woodyatt, had locked Denny in the bottom of the boat after learning he may have been behind an attack on his son bobby.

When the evacuation began, he tried to save him.

but his efforts were in vain and the lad was pulled dead from the water.

Sharon, played by Letitia Dean, had gone into labour in Albert Square as the boat went down.

Meanwhile, June brown, who plays Dot Cotton, did not take part in the 35th anniversary plot after claiming in a podcast she has left the show for good.

but insiders hope the 93-year-old will be tempted back to give her character a proper exit.

One said: “No one wants her to leave like this. It doesn’t feel right.

“both Dot and June deserve a proper send-off”