EastEnders legend to 'leave BBC soap after six years' amid Whitney Dean's exit

29 July 2023 , 21:24

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EastEnders legend to 'leave BBC soap after six years' amid Whitney Dean's exit

EastEnders legend Lorraine Stanley, who plays Karen Taylor, is reportedly set to be written out of the BBC One soap at the end of the year. Lorraine, 47, has been a staple on the BBC One soap since 2017. It comes as EastEnders' Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean on the soap, has also quit the long-running BBC series.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: "It’s always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters. Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans." The Mirror has contacted EastEnders for comment.

EastEnders legend Lorraine Stanley, who plays Karen Taylor, is reportedly set to be written out of the BBC One soap (BBC/Jack Barnes)

EastEnders' Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean on the soap, has quit (BBC)

Soap fans will recall that Lorraine joined EastEnders in 2017 as part of the iconic Taylor family, playing matriarch Karen. She was joined by 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.

It comes as Lorraine announced her engagement to her long-term partner Mark Perez earlier this month. The BBC soap star shared the happy news on Instagram with a sweet picture of herself with Mark. She captioned the post: "Love you baby!! #Engaged," with a host of emojis including a peace sign, heart and diamond ring.

She added: "Almost 10 years with you,I can now call you my Fiancé, I can’t wait to marry you Mark Perez, I love you and Nancy so much!!!!! Xxx us forever xxx new chapter #engaged #mylove #MrsPerez #love #marriage #weddingbells Xxxx #loveisintheair."

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Elsewhere, as well as Karen, soap fans will be saying goodbye to Whitney as actress Shona, 31, has quit the long-running BBC series. Shona has been a staple in Albert Square since 2008, joining when she was just 16, but now the soap star has made the "difficult" decision to leave.

Shona told The Sun on Sunday: "I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show. I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure."

It is believed that her final scenes on EastEnders will air next year, when her contract will run out, and producers are currently deliberating her exit storyline. Whitney has been part of several explosive storylines during her time on the hit BBC one soap that have attracted strong reactions from viewers. Most recently Whitney went through a heartbreaking miscarriage with on-screen love interest Zack Hudson, played by James Farrar.

The market trader had to make the decision to terminate her pregnancy after finding out her unborn daughter was suffering from Edwards' syndrome. Most babies with the condition will die before or shortly after they are born, according to the NHS. The distressing plot earned Shona a nomination for Best Leading Performer at the 2023 British Soap Awards.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands. You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email [email protected].

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Olivia Wheeler