EastEnders legend Kellie Bright quits Linda Carter role after 13 years
It truly is the end of an EastEnders era as Linda Carter star Kellie Bright is set to leave Walford after 13 years.
The actress, who made her Walford debut as Queen Vic landlady Linda back in 2013 alongside Danny Dyer’s Mick Carter, has been a true staple of Albert Square in the years since, becoming one of the show’s most recognisable faces.
Linda swiftly earned her place among the ranks of the best pub landladies in soap, with star Kellie delivering powerhouse performances aplenty amid many an impactful storyline, from Linda’s rape to her battle with alcoholism, killing Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) to save best friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and the disappearance of one true love Mick, who vanished at sea.
Her romance with childhood sweetheart Mick solidified the duo as one of Walford’s most legendary partnerships, and her friendships with Sharon, Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) and unique dynamic with mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) provided for great fun over the years.
Following a life-changing experience that saw her life quite literally flash before her eyes, Linda decided to leave the Vic after a decade as the landlady of the show’s signature pub and opened a B&B (cough Boutique Hotel cough) with mum Elaine.
In recent months, the return of former flame Max Branning (Jake Wood) has left her conflicted over her feelings for the Square’s resident lothario while the arrival of newcomer Clive (Jason Durr) led to her embarking on a romance with the councillor.
But after 13 years, her story is set to reach an end.
‘EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye,’ said Kellie, discussing her decision to leave.
‘I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay. I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.”
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer added: ‘Kellie has been at the beating heart of EastEnders for the past 13 years, and her characterisation of the fiercely lovable, protective, and brilliant Linda Carter has made her a favourite amongst the viewers and cemented her as a classic EastEnders icon.
Kellie has been involved in some of the show’s most explosive and iconic storylines, and everyone at EastEnders will miss Kellie and Linda dearly. When Kellie told us of her decision last year to leave, we already had big plans for Linda, so we were delighted that Kellie agreed to stay on to see them through.
‘We’ve still got a long way to go before we say goodbye, but I can promise that Kellie’s exit storyline will be full of unmissable drama. I’d like to thank Kellie for her time here at EastEnders, and we wish her all the best for the future.’
The question is: just what will Linda’s exit story be?
Despite all the devastation she has faced in the last 13 years, the popular character still thinks of Walford as the place where she was most happiest. Will something perhaps occur to change all of that?
