EastEnders star Kellie Bright leaves BBC soap after 13 years
Actor Kellie Bright has announced her departure from the BBC soap EastEnders after 13 years of playing the character Linda Carter. She plans to focus on her family while producers promise a dramatic exit storyline.
Why it matters
As a long-running character in a major cultural institution, her departure marks a significant shift for the show's narrative and audience engagement.
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…
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