*Contains plot spoilers (natch)

Along with her sister, Lauren, she dramatically fell from the roof of the Queen Vic on Christmas Day.

And during Thursday evening's airing, viewers learned that - heartbreakingly - pregnant Abi Branning is brain-dead. It was left to their father Max - whom the women had been saving from a suicide attempt when they fell - to tell Lauren that Abi has a "zero chance of regaining consciousness". https://twitter.com/bbceastenders/status/946500049000951808 And understandably, the revelation prompted a huge outpouring of sympathy and disbelief from fans of the BBC soap. Furthermore, many are asking what will become of Abi's unborn child. Taking to Twitter, one fan asked: "So Abi is brain dead but what about the baby? #Eastenders". Another queried: "What's happened to Abi's baby though? Can it be saved? #EastEnders". https://twitter.com/RealDaveWaters/status/946737436155105282 A third theorised that the young woman would be left in a coma until her baby could be safely delivered: "I think they're gonna make Abi stay like that until the baby's ready to be born #EastEnders". Others suggested that with Lauren expected to make a full recovery after the incident, she will adopt the baby.

During the dramatic Christmas Day episode, a suicidal Max was talked away from jumping off the roof of the Queen Vic by his daughters.

However, while he attempted to make his way back to safety, both women slipped, with Lauren grabbing her sister Abi's arm as she lost her footing first in the rain.