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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird

EastEnders star announces shock exit from BBC soap after explosive storyline

EastEnders actress Patsy Kensit may have been on screen for just a matter of weeks but she seems to have already said goodbye to Albert Square.

The actress, 54, made a dramatic entrance to the soap as she was revealed as Lola Pearce's mum just weeks before the local hairdresser lost her battle with cancer.

Ahead of her wedding to Jay Brown, Lola revealed how she longed to be reunited with her mum who abandoned her aged just three.

But Lola's grandad, Billy Mitchell managed to track Emma down and although she didn't make an appearance at the ceremony, she later revealed she was waiting outside.

Patsy Kensit made a very dramatic entrance to Albert Square (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Having been eager to be reunited with Lola, Emma disguised herself while depositing money through her front door and offering huge tips after having her hair done in the salon.

But her cover was later blown by Billy and despite a rocky start, the pair seemed to hit it off with the mum-of-one starting to form a relationship with her long-lost mum.

Now, Patsy has taken to social media to confirm that she's finished her final scenes for the family favourite programme.

Her character appeared on the show as Lola Pearce's birth mum (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

In view of her 131,000 followers, the star shared a string of snaps as she made her way across an airbridge to get onto an aeroplane and headed for sunnier skies.

She said: "We're leaving on a jet plane! Don't know when I'll be back again… Going to the heat.

"Great news this Friday that my severe chest infection I've nursed since December has now been diagnosed and I’m on the right antibiotics and need to convalesce for a bit and will be right back on my feet!!!

"Cannot thank my amazing cast members at the simply awesome experience I’ve had working on @ eastenders for being so kind and loving to me."

Patsy joined the BBC One soap for a "short stint" as Emma Harding (PA)
The actress has confirmed she's already filmed her final scenes (Instagram)

Patsy added: "Big thank you to the BBC the producer's writers crew and the EE family. Costume makeup AD's Ang at the help desk... Jamie and Danielle for making me laugh my a**e off every day. I love you both… Emma Barton.. so so many people…. A new adventure begins."

Her upload saw fans flock to the comment section as they were left devastated by the news, with one writing: "Ahhh I wish you were in it permanently- about time someone put Billy in his place!"

"Nooo your not staying in EastEnders," said one alongside a sad face emoji.

While a third commented: "Loving watching you in EastEnders."

"Really enjoying you in EastEnders, I really think you need to be a permanent member of the cast," typed another.

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