EastEnders ends tonight ‘until September’ after 35 years and 6,122 episodes

EASTENDERS will go off air tonight for the first time in the show's 35-year history after 6,122 episodes.

It is set to be away from our screens for the majority of the summer and may not return until September, one show insider has suggested.

Tonight's episode will see the future of the Queen Vic sealed, with Phil Mitchell attempting to do a deal with landlord Mick Carter.

However, his wife and business partner Linda is keen to close the door on the criminal mechanic, out of loyalty for her pal Sharon, who Phil recently slung out onto the street.

In place of the usual episodes of EastEnders, BBC One will air special shows including vintage episodes and a series called Secrets From The Square.

Hosted by Stacey Dooley, they will see two members of the cast talking about their time on the show from Ian Beale's cafe.

Ian was the winner of last night's episode, being seen smiling smugly last night as his young enemy Dotty Cotton was carted off by the police after being arrested.

It came hot on the heels of Ian's son Peter dumping Dotty after the scheming Beale convinced him that him dating Dotty was torturing Bobby, who also has a crush on her.

But it was at the club that things really came to a head, when the police turned up, followed closely by a grinning Ian.

Ruby told Dotty icily: "If they find anything you're finished."

The troublemaker was confident she'd be OK, until one cop came over brandishing a holdall full of drugs, telling her: "Don't forget your bag."

She replied: "There's nothing in there" before spotting her tormenter and gasping "Ian" - then trying to make a break for the door.

Dotty was stopped by two cops, with her striking a female officer in the face and sending her bag spinning to the floor.

As her canisters of laughing gas spilled out, Martin Fowler and Ruby were left covering their faces in shock.

And the officer she elbowed wasted little time marching over, saying: "I'm arresting you for the assault of a police officer."

All the while, bobbing around with glee outside the ladies' toilets was Ian Beale, who looked happier than he has for years.

He told her: "Dumped and arrested. Not your day, is it?"

Ian and Dotty have been at loggerheads ever since she attempted to blackmail him into getting her the Arches after learning he was responsible for Dennis Rickman's death.