Dr Legg (played by Leonard Fenton) was brought back to EastEnders when Walford stalwart Dot (June Brown) was concerned over her own health fears, believing she could be dying.
However, after it was revealed Dot was not about to meet her maker on the BBC soap, the pensioner was devastated to discover her dear friend Dr Legg was dying of cancer, wanting to spend his remaining days on the Square.
Since moving in with Dot, Dr Legg has faced some confrontation with Dot’s lodger Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) and was heartbroken to discover his parents graves had been defaced by a group of disgruntled youths.
It was their most recent attack targeting Dr Legg’s past which saw the pensioner succumb to his ill health and over the past week, Dot has been preparing for his return so he could spend his last few days in the comfort of her home.
Arriving back at Dot’s home, Dr Legg relived how he came to meet his late wife Judith, who died during World War II.
With his health deteriorating, Dr Legg mistook Dot’s granddaughter Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) for his late wife, which upset the teenager.
However, as he relived his days with Judith to Dot, Bex’s mother Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) explained how in love the dying man was with his wife, revealing how the EastEnders icon had dug through the rubble with his bare hands when a bomb hit the Square to find his beloved Judith.
In the closing moments of the episode, Dr Legg told Dot how he wanted to kiss his wife again at which point, he passed away with the stalwart by his side.
Realising her friend had passed away, Dot told Dr Legg to go and find his wife after their years of being apart.
Taking to Twitter following the heartbreaking final scenes, viewers were in pieces over the icons death on the BBC soap.
One viewer posted: “Well that’s made me cry #eastenders #doctorlegg,” with a second adding: “Knew I’d be sobbing by the end of the episode #EastEnders.”
A third wrote: “Leonard Fenton take a bow. You were always the only Walford doctor. They tried to replace you many times but never could. RIP Dr Legg. A legend. #eastenders,” commending the actor of the iconic character.
“#EastEnders aw Jesus! This Dr Legg storyline is so hard to watch!!!” a fourth remarked, with a fifth asking: “Anyone else tearing up over #Eastenders or just me.”
Another opined: “That was the saddest #Eastenders for a while and so well done. Such powerful messages in Dr. Legg’s final words, and the way we heard them against reminders of the struggles for other characters was really emotional.”
While a sixth commented: “Dr Legg what a legacy he leaves… so sad to see the death of an original #EastEnders thank you Leonard Fenton for giving so many years to the show!”
Continuing the outpour of heartbreak, a seventh posted: “#eastenders has got got me properly choked up tonight.”
In upcoming scenes, the residents of Walford will pay their last respects to Dr Legg with his funeral bringing back some familiar faces.
Hearing the news about the pensioners death, former Walford residents George “Lofty” Holloway (Tom Watt) and Mary “The Punk” Smith (Linda Davidson) will make their way back to the Square.
They won’t be alone however, as the classic characters will be joined by Mary’s daughter Annie (Marilyn O’Brien).
However, the comeback will be brief but Lofty actor Tom Watt, 63, recently revealed he wouldn’t rule out another return in the future.
EastEnders continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on BBC One