05 October 2023 , 13:41
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EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley has broken her silence after being axed from the show after seven years.
The actress, best known for playing matriarch Karen Taylor, has been given her marching orders from Albert Square as part of a cast shake-up. Lorraine will be leaving the BBC soap alongside her on-screen children Keegan ( Zack Morris ), Keanu (Danny Walters), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Chantelle (Jessica Plummer), as well as Riley and Chatham, played by real-life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs.
After being given the news in August, Lorraine has now been opening up about the exit and confessed she felt a "mix of emotions" when she found out she would be leaving the soap. While she is gutted to be leaving Walford, Lorraine said she hopes her departure will open doors for other projects. "I was sad, it was a mix of emotions, it's sad but it's exciting as now I can go and do what I want," she confessed.
Lorraine's character Karen Taylor is being written out of the soap (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)When asked by The Sun if she would consider joining a rival soap, she added: "I think it would have to be Corrie and I would have to be the new landlady." Lorraine said of her character Karen: " just want people to remember her as the best mum on the square, a heart of gold, she's give you her last fiver and would do anything for her kids - a bit like myself."
Taking to Instagram to reveal her shock news, Lorraine wrote: "Hey everyone! I’m so grateful for all of your lovely messages this past week. Thank you to Daran Little for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character, I’ll be sad to be saying goodbye to Karen Taylor and will miss all the cast and crew at EastEnders.
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"However I’m looking forward to my next chapter and excited about being a jobbing Actor again & starting new ventures.Again your kind words of support have been amazing!!! I’m going to miss my Taylor/Baker famalam Clair Norris, Danny Walters, Roger Griffiths and Matthew Morrison. Much love." [sic]
The star has seen some heartache over the years during her time on the soap, including the tragic loss of her daughter Chantelle. However recently she has also been locked in a feud with Sharon over her decision to meddle in Keanu's relationship with his daughter Peggy, whilst some think her exit could be to do with the big Christmas death that has had viewers guessing all of this year ahead of December.
Some fans are convinced Karen could die, as they believe that's the only way Karen would leave Walford or leave her kids behind in Albert Square, with Keanu and Bernie amongst others likely to stay. Sources previously claimed Lorraine's exit would create a "new arc" for other characters. Yet actress Lorraine told the publication she would hate if Karen was killed off, going as far to say she would never watch the soap again. Since announcing the news, Lorraine has been spotted enjoying a lavish holiday to Montenegro with partner Mark Perez, who she has been dating since 2014.