EastEnders fans started off 2017 in distress as fan favourites Ronnie and RoxyMitchell both found themselves meeting their maker.

The on-screen sisters were killed off in a tragic watery accident as Roxywent swimming after Ronnie had tied the knot with Jack Branning.

But when Ronnie saw her sister motionless in the pool she dived in to save her only to be drowned by the weight of her wedding dress – and both Walford ladies died.

Raction from fans was mixed, with some praising the death scenes as ‘artful’.

“The ending scene for Ronnie and Roxy's death was sad, but beautiful at the same time, really artistic. #EastEnders,” wrote one fan.

While others have threatened to boycott the show, with one viewer writing: “@bbceastenders why do you always kill the best characters?? I’m never watching again”

Meanwhile, Samantha Womack - who played Ronnie - left fans flustered on Monday morning when she revealed she had gone swimming the morning after the tragic episode aired.

“Started my day off at @champneys with a……. swim in the pool!Pleased to announce I am now enjoying breakfast. Thank you champneys Tring,” she wrote on Twitter.

Fans couldn’t handle the update, with one replying: “No pool talk please”.

Need a reminder of the most shocking reality moments of 2016? Watch the Geordie Shore cast look back over the last year...