EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey has confirmed that Lee Carter (Danny Hatchard) and Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) will return to Walford for a period, ahead of Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) departure from the soap.
Speaking about the returns, Wadey said: 'We've got some returns coming up. You may have read that Kellie Bright is very sadly leaving us after so many brilliant years in the programme. I am quite close to Kellie. She is such a phenomenal actor.'
'Linda Carter is one of the all time great EastEnders characters, so losing her is such a big moment to the show and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months.'
Returning characters promise jaw-dropping storyline
Wadey teased: 'We will be welcoming Lee and Nancy back for a period in a story where I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see it.'
The reason for their comeback is currently being kept under wraps, but complications will be aplenty. The Carters weathered plenty in their absence, so fans can expect the duo's upcoming reunion to be anything but smooth.
On her return, Nancy star Maddy Hill said: 'I am SO excited to be returning to Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy's shoes (or basketball shorts!). I've missed her! I'm especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family.'
Stars react to their EastEnders comeback
On his return, Danny Hatchard said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders as Lee Carter. Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I'm proper buzzing to be back grafting with the Enders family.'
Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have Maddy and Danny back in Walford, bringing two much-loved pieces of the Carter family back together. And whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she's got a lot to catch up on…'
Nancy appeared in the show from 2014 until 2016 before leaving to go travelling with boyfriend Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel), returning for a short stint between 2021 and 2022 before leaving again. Lee appeared between 2014 and 2017, taking centre stage in a critically-lauded depression plot, and made a brief reappearance in 2019 before departing once more.
Linda Carter's exit storyline confirmed
Discussing her decision to leave, 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.'
Ben Wadey added: '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.'
