EastEnders stars confirm ‘exciting’ and ‘dramatic’ exit
EastEnders fans were recently disappointed to learn that two stars of the BBC soap are set to bow out of their roles.
After eight years as Bernie Taylor, actress Clair Norris is set to leave the show later this year.
She isn’t the only star departing, with Matthew James Morrison also set to leave his role as Felix Baker after three years.
When I caught up with both stars at the British Soap Awards, they kept tight-lipped about the details of their exit storylines, but urged fans to tune in.
‘You’ll have to stay tuned and watch!’ Matthew said, after explaining that he couldn’t give anything away.
Clair agreed, adding: ‘It’s exciting. It’s an exciting time. Also very dramatic. You’ll have to stay tuned.’
It’s been a busy year in Albert Square, with the BBC soap celebrating its 40th anniversary in February.
The occasion was marked with a dramatic live episode – something that Clair and Matthew told me they were thrilled to be a part of.
‘It was really exciting,’ Clair enthused. ‘It was so nice to be a part of.
‘We didn’t do much but it was just the whole atmosphere there, on the day and the rehearsals and the build-up. It was amazing to be part of the 40th!’
‘You saw the top of my hair in one of the shots and I’m so proud of that moment,’ Matthew added.
Both actors have been involved in some huge storylines throughout their tenures, with Matthew having made history playing EastEnders’ first regular drag queen, Tara Misu.
Clair’s character Bernie was recently a part of the enormous whodunnit storyline that resulted in Keanu Taylor being m.u.r.d.e.r.e.d by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
Reflecting on that experience, Clair said: ‘I absolutely loved doing that storyline. I loved working with the Six, they’re amazing women. I definitely had to up my game when I was working with them.‘The scenes were amazing and it was nice to be given that storyline. Especially when the Taylors had left, it was nice to be given something that was dramatic. I absolutely, still to this day, love those scenes.’