EastEnders viewers baffled as Peter Beale returns and is now 7ft tall

EASTENDERS fans were left baffled last night as Peter Beale returned – after appearing to grow into a giant while living in New Zealand.

The fruit and veg flogger is now played by actor Dayle Hudson in the BBC soap and fans couldn’t help but notice he’s significantly taller than his predecessor Ben Hardy.

In one scene his head was cut off to fit him in frame with on-screen grandmother Gillian Taylforth.

Actor Ben Hardy is 5ft 8, while newcomer Dayle stands at a statuesque 6ft 3.

The scenes left fans baffled with one writing: “HOW TALL IS PETER BEALE??? #EastEnders”

A second said: “Good god peter Beale wasnt 7ft when he left #EastEnders”

Another added: “Did they employ a giant to play the new Peter beale woa how tall?”

Peter’s growth spurt wasn’t even the most shocking thing in last night’s episode as Dennis Mitchell died as his mum Sharon gave birth to his little brother.

The businesswoman – who is played by actress Letitia Dean in the BBC soap – was forced to give birth in the funeral home after being taken hostage at gunpoint by Ben Mitchell.

He summoned his mum Katy who helped Sharon give birth – but in a tragic twist at the same time her son Dennis was drowning.

While it looked at first as it Sharon would lose both her children when the baby was silent after birth, he quickly began crying and Sharon was reassured.

She was busy making plans for the three of them to leave Walford together for a new life when tragedy struck.

Dennis died after he was locked in a room by Ian Beale for having his son Bobby attacked.

EastEnders fans are in shock after Dennis Mitchell drowned in the boat disaster

Ian was devastated as he knows he is responsible

Ian did try to rescue Dennis and managed to get him out of the room but the boat had already filled with water and they were both dragged out by the current.

And while Ian was rushed to hospital, Dennis was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was left to Keanu Taylor to tell Sharon what had happened – just minutes after she had given birth to her new baby, a boy.

She blamed Keanu for Dennis’ death and told him she never wanted to see him again leaving him devastated too.

Denny was locked below deck

Guilty Ian tried to free him

In the hospital Ian was told about the death by his mum Kathy but he claimed to have tried to save Dennis and didn’t admit to being the one who locked Dennis below deck.

He broke down in tears as the reality of him being a killer sank in – but he still didn’t confess and it left fans in shock.

One wrote: “Oh s**t I did not have it down that Dennis would die. How tragic hes so young. #eastenders.”

A second said: “Dennis the third tho Broken heart #eastenders.”

Another added: “i know dennis was no angel but that was one of the most brutal deaths eastenders has ever had. there is no getting over that #EastEnders35.”

Elsewhere, Whitney confessed to killing Leo King at the dock, telling the officer: “I know it’s bad timing but you need to arrest me. I’ve killed someone. You’ll find him on my kitchen floor.”

After nearly dying on the boat, Linda Carter finally admitted she was an alcoholic and vowed to get help and dry out for her family.

Despite breaking him free, Ian couldn’t stop Denny from drowning

And Bex Fowler survived her bad bunch of drugs and lived to see another day.

But it was bad news for Callum Highway who was left dying in the dingy warehouse where Keanu was holding him hostage.

Shirley failed to find him and Ben couldn’t hear Keanu telling him the location, meaning Callum’s life is also on the line.