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Kellie Bright quits EastEnders after playing Linda Carter for 13 years on BBC soap

EastEnders actress Kellie Bright has quit the BBC soap after 13 years, saying 'now is the right time for me to say goodbye' and teasing an 'exciting' exit storyline

[Kellie Bright quits EastEnders]

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Kellie Bright quits EastEnders(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders' Kellie Bright has quit the BBC soap. The actress, who played Linda Carter for 13 years, has said that she made the "tough decision" to leave over a year ago.

Posting the news to Instagram, EastEnders bosses wrote: "After 13 years, Kellie Bright is saying goodbye to EastEnders and her iconic role of Linda Carter.

"Kellie Bright burst onto our screens in 2013 as the loveable matriarch of the Carter family, and landlady of The Queen Vic, and has been at the heart of some of the shows most explosive and iconic storylines since her characters inception.

[Kellie Bright plays Linda Carter]

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Kellie Bright plays Linda Carter(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

"From Lindas journey with alcoholism, her integral role in The Six flashforward which saw her character responsible for Keanus Christmas Day murder, and Lindas famed relationship with husband Mick Carter, Kellie has firmly cemented Linda as an EastEnders icon who is loved by the viewers and EastEnders company alike for her dedication to family, friendships and pink flamingos."

They teased that her exit would be dramatic, saying: "Kellie and Lindas exit is still a while away on screen, but with a rich history like Linda Carters, it would be impossible for her to leave quietly..."

Kellie, 50, first joined the show in 2013, as the new landlady of the Queen Vic when her husband Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) took over from the Mitchell family.

[She first joined in 2013 alongside Danny Dyer as Mick Carter]

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She first joined in 2013 alongside Danny Dyer as Mick Carter(Image: BBC)

When she is set to leave the soap hasn't been revealed yet, but she will be around until at least 1 January 2027, as Linda already appeared in the flashforward to that date earlier this year.

Sharing her decision to leave, Kellie 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.

Executive producer 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.

[Linda's exit is set to be 'part of an exciting storyline']

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Linda's exit is set to be 'part of an exciting storyline'(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Kellie has been involved in some of the shows 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. Weve still got a long way to go before we say goodbye."

The Sun quoted a source who said that Kellie felt it was time to look at opportunities elsewhere. The source also said that the "door is being left open" for Linda to return one day. As such, it is unlikely that she will be killed off - unlike Michelle Ryan's Zoe Slater.

Zoe is thought to be set to die in a upcoming storyline after Michelle decided to quit earlier this year. A spokesperson said to the Mirror at the time: We can confirm Zoe Slater will be departing EastEnders later this year. We wish Michelle Ryan all the best for the future. However, we never comment on future storylines as we dont want to spoil it for the viewers.

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