Kellie Bright confirms exit as EastEnders' favourite Linda Carter
She's been part of some huge storylines
Last updated 5 hours ago
Kellie Bright is preparing to film her last scenes as EastEnders fave Linda Carter — as it's been confirmed the iconic character will leave the soap in the near future.
The news comes as a blow to fans, who have loved watching Linda through numerous explosive storylines, including husband Mick's disappearance at sea, her battle with alcoholism and the time she literally got away with murder.
But it's time for Linda to pack up her flamingos, her hot pink wardrobe and her hairspray and bid farewell to The Square, as actress Kellie Bright has made the decision to leave. And BBC bosses say 'it would be impossible for her to leave quietly'.
With the New Year's Eve flash-forward episodes still to look forward to, fans are beginning to speculate just how Linda might be written out of the soap. Many are keen to see her childhood sweetheart and husband, Mick (Danny Dyer), return for a reunion, while others simply don't want her to go at all.
One fan wrote: 'let it be that mick comes back and they have their happy ending 😢', while another said: 'Genuinely so heartbroken 😭 I adore Linda'.
EastEnders Executive Producer, Ben Wadey, said: "When Kellie told us of her decision last year to leave, we already had big plans for Linda, so we were delighted that Kellie agreed to stay on to see them through. We’ve still got a long way to go before we say goodbye, but I can promise that Kellie’s exit storyline will be full of unmissable drama."
Kellie Bright first joined EastEnders back in 2013 alongside Cockney geezer Danny Dyer, as the pair brought the Carter family to run The Queen Vic. But many may have already recognised her from another iconic role — Kellie famously played Me Julie in 2002's Ali G Indahouse. She also played Cassie in Bad Girls and numerous other roles.
Kellie Bright said: “EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye.
"I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay. I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.”
When will Linda leave EastEnders?
It's not been confirmed exactly when Linda's last scenes will play out, but EastEnders bosses said in August that 'We've still got a long way to go before we say goodbye'.
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