Along with her sister, Lauren, she dramatically fell from the roof of the Queen Vic on Christmas Day.
And on Friday evening, amidst heartbreaking scenes, Abi Branning died.
Please be warned that tonights episode of #EastEnders is VERY VERY sad 😭😭🕰
— Jake Wood (@mrjakedwood) January 19, 2018
The popular EastEnders character had her life support machine switched off after being declared ‘brain dead’ by her doctors.
At the request of family, Abi died at 8.32pm – the exact same time that she was born.
Her dad, Max, had fought with medics repeatedly over the last few weeks, but on Friday he finally accepted that his daughter would never recover.
Tanya's had a change of ❤️.
She knows her little girl would want her dad there *sob*.😩 pic.twitter.com/cjGKCtv2EW— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) January 19, 2018
Abi passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones – although her father was initially banned by her mum, Tanya, from being there for her final moments; Tanya blamed Max for her daughter’s death.
https://twitter.com/ClarkeBellamy3/status/954449137193439237
At the eleventh hour she changed her mind, acknowledging that Abi would want him to be there.
Understandably, in the final scenes of the most recent airing, the characters and viewers alike were left in floods of tears, with Twitter also alight with outpourings of grief in the aftermath.
On Christmas Day, a suicidal Max was talked away from jumping off the roof of the Queen Vic by his daughters.
Too. Much. Sadness. 😩🌘🌟
As Walford says a final goodbye to Abi Branning. 😓😓 pic.twitter.com/FbwF4KAQhz
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) January 19, 2018
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.
Until Monday, so…
MONDAY: Stacey lashes out after Martin oversteps the mark, but is there any way back for the pair? 🤔
🚨There's still time to vote for all things #EastEnders in this year's @OfficialNTAs so get voting! https://t.co/l7FtXL5C6r🚨 pic.twitter.com/gO1NoBeVcp
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) January 19, 2018