EastEnders star Kellie Bright has announced her departure from the BBC soap after 13 years.
The 50-year-old said: “It is now the right time for me to say goodbye.”
Bright has portrayed the glamorous Linda Carter since December 2013, when she was introduced as one of the new owners of the Queen Vic pub in Albert Square.
The beloved matriarch, who has four children with her husband Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), has been central to the soap’s narrative, with plots revolving around sexual assault, murder, and infidelity.
Linda Carter currently owns a bed and breakfast with her mother, Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), and is involved in a fresh romance with newcomer Clive Masters (Jason Durr).
“EastEnders has been my home for 13 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,” Bright said.
“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,” she added, referring to her husband and three children.
Executive producer Ben Wadey said: “Kellie has been at the beating heart of EastEnders for the past 13 years.
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“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.”
He went on: “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.”
Viewers have seen Bright’s character at the heart of an emotional storyline where she was raped by her brother-in-law Dean Wicks, and she has faced recurring struggles with alcoholism.
Linda Carter was also at the centre of the 2023 Christmas Day episode and was part of a dramatic flashforward where she fatally stabbed Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) to save the life of her friend Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean.
Her character also had a turbulent affair with lothario Max Branning (Jake Wood) in 2021 and subsequently gave birth to his daughter – who she tried to conceal from him for many years.
EastEnders is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.