Actress Kellie Bright has announced she is leaving EastEnders after 13 years on the BBC soap. Sharing that it was a "tough decision" to make, the 50-year-old confessed that it is the "right time to say goodbye".
Kellie's Time on the Square
Kellie first entered Albert Square in 2013 as the iconic Linda Carter. The matriarch of the Carter family, she became the landlady for the Queen Vic and featured in a variety of intense storylines that had viewers on the edge of their seats.
Sharing the news on Instagram last night (August 8) via the BBC EastEnders page, Kellie opened up about her decision to exit the soap. Having been her "home" for 13 years, she confessed that she is excited to spend more time with her children.
Statement and Reaction
She 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."
During her time on the show, Kellie was given some of EastEnders' most explosive and iconic storylines. Along with Linda's journey with alcoholism, the character was revealed to be responsible for Keanu's Christmas Day murder in the intense The Six flashforward.
Many fans have taken to the comments section of the social media post to share their heartbreak over the news. One person wrote: "It's not too late to delete this post."
While another person added: "End of an era for the Carters. What a fantastic family. (Ben Wadey DON'T kill her off!!!)"
A third fan also shared a sweet tribute, noting: "I'm beyond heartbroken right now. @kelliebrightofficial you will be truly missed on EastEnders please don’t stay away for too long wishing you all the best for the future."
Future Plans
Meanwhile, quite a few people are hoping for the return of another character before Kellie's final episode. One person wrote: "Let it be that Mick comes back and they have their happy ending." As another said: "I saw this coming, if Danny ain't back for her exit we riot."
However, while many fans may be sad to see Linda Carter leave Albert Square, it seems that she will be going out with a bang as executive producer Ben Wadey has revealed they still have "big plans" for the character before her final exit.
He said: "Kellie has been at the beating heart of EastEnders for the past 13 years, and her characterisation of the fiercely lovable, protective, and brilliant Linda Carter has made her a favourite amongst the viewers and cemented her as a classic EastEnders icon."
"Kellie has been involved in some of the show’s most explosive and iconic storylines, and everyone at EastEnders will miss Kellie and Linda dearly. 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. I’d like to thank Kellie for her time here at EastEnders, and we wish her all the best for the future."
