It's the end of an era.

The EastEnders episode we were all waiting for was finally aired last night. We'd been teased for months that the very first episode of 2017 would see the end of two of the most popular characters, Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell. We had heard rumours that it was going to happen on the night of Ronnie's wedding and had something to do with a swimming pool and that's exactly what happened. Ronnie and Roxy were having a celebratory drink by the pool while Ronnie's new husband, Jack, was reading a bedtime story to the kids. While he read out some pages from Cinderella Roxy dives into the pool. Moments later when she doesn't emerge from the water Ronnie dives in, in her wedding dress, to save her. Due to the size of her dress she's unsuccessful and the episode finishes with the two sisters lying motionless in the water. Viewers and cast members were left in tears after it:

I'm sorry I can't respond to any comments..I'm honestly broken. An appropriate end to the darkest year ever.@OfficialRita @RealScottMaslen ?

— Sam Womack (@Sam_Womack) January 1, 2017

Thank you all for your lovely tweets. I don't really have words right now. But words will come.. in good time #R&R

— Rita Simons (@OfficialRita) January 1, 2017

End of an era. Best episode and so proud of @Sam_Womack and my wifey @OfficialRita ❤❤#eastenders #MitchellSisters

— Theo Silveston (@Theosilv76) January 1, 2017

Two beautifully complex Eastenders Icons. On screen chemistry personified. Nothing but love for ya's #missed. @Sam_Womack @OfficialRita X

— Danny Dyer (@MrDDyer) January 1, 2017

End of an era. Best episode and so proud of @Sam_Womack and my wifey @OfficialRita ❤❤#eastenders #MitchellSisters

— Theo Silveston (@Theosilv76) January 1, 2017

i don't know if i just watched eastenders, cinderella or titanic - i just know that i'm high-key not okay #eastenders

— j e s s l y n (@JessPattrick) January 1, 2017

That has to be one of the most messed up endings on #eastenders ever! Eastenders won't be the same without the #MitchellSisters ?

— Deano Boroczky (@DeanomusicUK) January 1, 2017

Nah Eastenders did the most with the visuals. That last shot of Roxy and Ronnie in the pool was iconic. Truly sensational. Art. #EastEnders

— TheGirlisNoOne (@Hannah__O) January 1, 2017

End of an era on #EastEnders tonight. Loved R&R the very fist time I saw the 'under new management' promos <3 @Sam_Womack @OfficialRita pic.twitter.com/VVpFaWBEEu

— Ryan Love ? (@RyanJL) January 1, 2017

Lead image via Twitter/@bbceastenders