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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

EastEnders' Maddy Hill quits soap as Nancy Carter and becomes 7th cast exit amid soap 'cull'

EastEnders actress Maddy Hill saw her final scenes on the soap air this evening, as her character Nancy Carter decided to leave Walford.

The character previously left EastEnders in 2016 to go travelling with boyfriend Tamwar Masood, before the two got hitched and settled down in New Zealand.

But actress Maddy has again decided to leave the BBC soap after returning as Mick and Linda's daughter after nearly five years away from the Square.

As her final scenes on the soap aired, Maddy said: “It’s been great revisiting Nancy and the Square over the past year but it felt like the right time to move on for now.

“I already miss everyone and feel so grateful to work with people I have so much love for.”

EastEnders actress Maddy Hill saw her final scenes on the soap air this evening (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Meanwhile a spokesperson for EastEnders said: “We wish Maddy all the very best for the future”.

Over the past few weeks, Maddy’s character Nancy has been consumed with stress over her mum Linda and boyfriend Zack.

Mum Linda (Kellie Bright) had been involved in a car crash with Janine (Charlie Brooks) and baby Annie – but the Carters don’t actually know Janine was involved.

Nancy has been led to believe Linda drank alcohol while in the car with her baby.

Nancy then faced further heartbreak this week when she learned on-off boyfriend Zack had slept with Sam (Kim Medcalf), leaving her heartbroken.

Maddy Hill accepts the award for Best Newcomer on stage during the 2015 National Television Awards (PA)

But she decided to give him a second chance, despite an awareness he would probably betray her again.

Later, Linda returned home from hospital and her daughter paid her a visit to tell her she was not on speaking terms with Zack.

Helping her mum with some pillows, Nancy found a bottle of vodka and was furious.

Nancy really couldn’t understand why Linda’s near-death experience didn’t make her realise she needs to quit the booze and told her mum the trust between them was broken – and can never be repaired.

Heading to the gym, Nancy found Zack, ended their relationship and announced she is planning on leaving Albert Square.

EastEnders stars Maddy Hill, Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright attend the TV Choice Awards 2015 (WireImage)

In between Maddy’s two EastEnders stints, she joined Casualty for two years as paramedic Ruby Spark and took part in the continuing drama's crossover with Holby City.

Ahead of her return last spring, she said: “I’m so excited to be coming back and reconnecting with all the hilarious, warm, talented cast and crew and meeting some lovely new faces.

“I absolutely loved playing Nancy and have often wondered what she's up to, so feel very grateful to be able to rediscover her five years on.”

EastEnders executive producer Jon Sen teased at the time: "We're delighted to have Maddy back and I can't wait for audiences to see what's in store for Nancy.

“There's a lot of mystery surrounding her return and she’s coming back to a family that have been through a very difficult year – things are definitely not as Nancy left them. Maddy is a fantastic actor and we feel very lucky to have her back in Walford."

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