The self-confessed murderer revealed his true colours to his ever-suffering mother Dot in tonight's episode (February 13), before she left him to succumb to the side effects of a bad batch of heroin.
After begging her for forgiveness, Nick drew his last breath in Dot's arms.
The soap stalwart had supplied her son with drugs and refused to call an ambulance after hearing him own up to multiple murders.
The devout Christian instead turned to prayer and left his fate in the hands of Jesus.
Online, fans of the show met the character's departure with mixed reactions.
A number thanked actor John Altman for his contribution to the BBC show and said that his death should have been marked more significantly.
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For 30 years its been a real joy . Goodbye #NickCotton and Thank you #JohnAltman #Eastenders will never be quite the same! xx
— Jaffa (@myjaffa) February 13, 2015
Nick Cotton should definitely of got 'Julia' or his own theme. Cant kill him off without something special #Eastenders
— Tom Adamson (@adamson93) February 13, 2015
Noooooooooooooooooo RIP Nick Cotton. Greatest tv baddie of all time
— Rachel Doyle (@McRach) February 13, 2015
Rest in peace, Nick Cotton. The ending of that episode, closing to black. Really made it. Very touching. #EastEnders
@dominictc
— Jonathon McAllister (@JonathonRM91) February 13, 2015
Others were glad to see the back of the dastardly 'Nasty Nick' and his instantly recognisable catchphrase.
Actual so glad Nick Cotton is dead, there's only so much "ello ma" a girl can take! #Eastenders
— Shauna (@ShaunaRae95) February 13, 2015
Nick Cotton is dead. Hope his acting improves. #eastenders
— Alice333 (@ALICE33310841) February 13, 2015
Ding dong Nick Cotton is dead #EastEnders
— sophie (@ofwgsophie) February 13, 2015
When Nick Cotton died my baby son laughed #eastenders #thatsmyboy pic.twitter.com/YbTOBuk22u
— Em (@Remotus1) February 13, 2015
Nick Cotton dies in the same room he killed his first victim in, in the very first episode in 1985. #Karma #eastenders
— Karl Compton (@KarlJCompton) February 13, 2015
But a select few still weren't convinced that we'd seen the last of Nick, who has previously been cat-like in his evasion of death.
Nick Cotton will come back
— Rajan (@RCLR_) February 13, 2015
So it will be another few years until we hear "Hello Ma" again on Eastenders #NickCotton
— Sista $ensi (@TheSistaSensi) February 13, 2015
if nick cotton comes back from the dead AGAIN i will sue
— Reject. (@hannaahhmeatsix) February 13, 2015
