Kellie Bright has spoken about her decision to leave EastEnders and the direction of her character’s final storyline.
The actress, who has played Linda Carter for 13 years, is due to leave the show soon.
The actress first arrived in Albert Square with on-screen husband Danny Dyer in 2013 to take over the Queen Vic.
Despite Dyer leaving three years ago, Kellie stayed to continue Linda's story, but is now set to bow out after more than a decade on the BBC soap.
EastEnders' Kellie Bright on decision to leave BBC soap
Speaking to Radio Times at the National Television Awards 2026, she opened up on her decision to leave.
Ms Bright said: "It was a very natural decision, is what I would say.
"It took a long time.
"It wasn't a decision I made overnight.
"I'm very, very grateful to have been part of the show for as long as I have.
"I feel really blessed to have been able to play Linda Carter for all these years, and I am just ready and looking forward to new exciting adventures."
Linda’s current storyline sees her rekindling a romance with Max Branning, the man she previously cheated on her husband Mick Carter with.
On the storyline, she said: "Do you know what?
"I gave up trying to guess storylines a long time ago, because I have learnt from experience that you never know.
"I honestly thought I was the last person that was in the frame for killing Keanu – and I was wrong about that.
"So since then I'm like, anything goes. Who knows?"
When asked whether she wanted Linda to end up with Max, the soap star was uncertain.
She said: "I think they have a real connection, Max and Linda.
"And they obviously have a child together.
"But Max Branning's Max Branning, isn't he? And I protect my Linda. You know?
"So who knows? We'll see."
Recent episodes ended with Max and Linda beginning a tentative relationship following the end of his marriage to Cindy Beale.
It was also revealed that Max was the last person to see Zoe Slater alive, after he confronted her and urged her to keep quiet about his relationship with Linda.
The soap star first addressed her exit earlier this month, after the BBC revealed the exit in August.
Taking to Instagram, she said: “Shall we talk about the elephant in the room? Or should I say, flamingo?
“I just wanted to do a little thank you message to everyone that sent some love to Linda’s way when you heard about the announcement of me leaving.
“It really means so much and I just wanted to acknowledge it and say thank you for your lovely comments and messages.
“Linda hearts you back. Flamingos forever.”
EastEnders star set to return with new actress taking over
In other EastEnders news, a familiar face is returning to Albert Square.
Ash Panesar is set to make a comeback to EastEnders, but this time played by actress Sakira Vel, three years after the character was last seen on screen.
Ash was originally played by Gurlaine Kaur Garcha and featured in a range of big storylines that avid fans of the show might remember.
Ms Vel said: "When I got the call offering me the role, I don’t think I could truly believe it until I finally made it onto the Square.
"EastEnders is an absolute television icon, and the show was essentially the backdrop to my childhood.
"Taking on the role of Ash is a real honour and I cannot wait for the audience to see what we have in store as she dives straight into the Panesar family chaos."
Ash is the daughter of Suki Kaur Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) and Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry).
One of Ash's main storylines involved facing tension from her family, including her mother Suki, because of her sexual orientation.
Suki struggled to accept Ash's sexuality, as she felt uncomfortable in herself and with the internalised homophobia she felt after her kiss with Honey Mitchell.
The pair were able to repair their relationship for a period of time after Suki accepted herself.
The character was last seen leaving Walford for a job in Canada.
Who is your favourite character on EastEnders? Let us know in the comments.
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