EastEnd cafe in fireball explosion

Nasty Nick Cotton makes a memorable exit from the EastEnd...

14:50 26 May 2009

Soap fans are in for some explosive scenes in Albert Square as Nasty Nick Cotton makes a memorable exit from the EastEnd.

Viewers will see Nick, played by John Altman, take his daughter Dotty and Ian Beale's caf customers hostage as he tries to flee London.

But while he makes his demands, the cooker sets light to a gas pipe and the caf explodes.

During the carnage Nick is wrestled to the ground and Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) helps the hostages escape. But the caf goes up in flames leaving Bradley unconscious and Nick, nowhere to be seen.

Viewers will be left wondering if Nick was killed in the inferno or if he managed to scarper.

Catch the scenes on BBC1 on June 2.