04 August 2023 , 14:00
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EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley has responded to rumours she is leaving the soap. The actress, who plays Karen Taylor, has confirmed she is stepping away from the role.
After six years of playing the single mum, Lorraine has decided it is now time to leave. The star admitted she will miss the soap when she leaves and has thanked her fans for their support. Taking to her social media, Lorraine said: "Hey everyone! I’m so grateful for all of your lovely messages this past week. Thank you to @daranlittle for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character.
"@bbceastenders I’ll be sad to be saying goodbye to Karen Taylor and will miss all the cast and crew at Eastenders. 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 @matthew_james_morrison ….Much love xxx."
Karen is set to be written out of the soap (BBC/Jack Barnes)
The actress shared the news she is leaving EastEnders (WireImage)Karen Taylor will be written out of the soap at the end of the year. Lorraine joined EastEnders in 2017 as Karen 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. Her character has suffered some heartache over the years, including the tragic loss of her daughter Chantelle.
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. Fans are now sure they've rumbled how she could exit the BBC soap – and it looks like it could be a sad one.
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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.
"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," a source revealed recently of Lorraine's exit.
Just last month Lorraine announced her engagement to her long-term partner Mark Perez. 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.
Lorraine captioned the post: "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." The actress also recently told presenter Lorraine Kelly she's moved out of London since joining the soap and has been able to provide a better life for her daughter Nancy.
She shared: "I have moved. I now live in Hertfordshire. It has a lot of things. I have a little girl, Nancy. She'll have fresher air, better schools, less crime in general. It was a big move and I feel great, it is lovely there." She also shared how she lost almost a stone in six weeks after cutting out crisps and chocolate.
She said: "I've lost 12 lbs in six weeks, thank you. My mate Louisa is my fitness guru, I've got her to thank for it. She talks about nutrition. I've eaten a lot of boiled eggs, fish, chicken, no carbs. No crisps and chocolate. I'm enjoying it and I feel better for it."