EastEnders star Kellie Bright leaves BBC soap after 13 years

EastEnders star Kellie Bright has confirmed that she is leaving the BBC soap after 13 years in the role of Linda Carter, with the popular actor saying that it was the "right time" to depart the series."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," said Bright via the soap's Instagram page, before adding that she made the "tough" decision "over a year ago"."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," added the star, who agreed to stay longer after producers Kate Oates and Ben Wadey had developed an "exciting storyline".Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TVWadey, the executive producer of the soap, said: "Kellie has been at the beating heart of EastEnders for the past 13 years, and her characterisation of the fiercely loveable, protective and brilliant Linda Carter has made her a favourite amongst viewers.""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," added the producer, who called the actor an "EastEnders icon". "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," he teased. Several fans expressed their shock at the news in the comment section on the post, with one writing: "No wayyy Linda was the reason I started re-watching a few years ago when Mick died.""Kellie, it has been the biggest joy in my life watching you, I've grown up seeing you on my screen, you've been utterly brilliant in every single storyline," wrote another viewer, who described Linda as an "iconic character".Related: EastEnders reveals major Max and Cindy update – but Priya has a surpriseBright debuted on the soap in 2013, with Linda being introduced as the on-screen partner of Danny Dyer's Mick. The couple ran The Queen Vic for several years, though Dyer exited the soap in 2022.Bright isn't the first big-name departure from the soap this year, with it being reported last month that Michelle Ryan was due to depart later this year. The actor had reprised her role as Zoe Slater last year, but her comeback has been short-lived.EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.