EastEnders star AXED after eight years – and it’s the end of an era
AN EASTENDERS favourite has been axed after eight years on the soap – bringing an end to one of the show’s most high-profile families.
The show has been going through a transition stage of late with outgoing boss Chris Clenshaw leaving and new producer Ben Wadey taking over.
Actress Clair Norris – who plays Bernie Taylor in the BBC soap – will be leaving later this year in a dramatic storyline.
The star has played Bernie, the daughter of Karen Taylor, since the family made their debut in 2017.
A source said: “Every time a soap gets a new boss they want to make their own changes – it’s nothing personal.
“The writing has been on the wall for Bernie for some time so it wasn’t really a surprise to Clair.
“She was the last Taylor standing and it’s time to close the chapter on them and let Clair go on to do other things.”
Another insider said: “Everyone at EastEnders loves Clair but often characters have to leave for new stories to begin, that’s the nature of soap.
“Clair will be missed but she will always be part of the EastEnders family.”
An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed the news saying: “We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future.”
With Clair gone, and Felix actor Matthew Morrison also leaving soon as The Sun previously revealed, all traces of the fan-dividing family will be gone.
Karen Taylor left last year alongside Mitch and their grandchildren Mia and Mackenzie.
Son Keanu was killed off in 2023 in The Six plot, daughter Chantelle was murdered by husband Gray Atkins in 2020, and son Keegan moved to Germany in 2022.
The family of benefits-claiming layabouts were controversial when they arrived in Walford in 2017, with fans being fiercely divided.
However, The Sun revealed last week that while the Taylors will soon be gone, the Branning family is getting a boost.
EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far
With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?
Tracy-Ann Oberman – Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley – Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French – French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer – Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Ricky Groves – Groves returned as Garry Hobbs, a character who has not been seen since 2009.
Cliff Parisi – Parisi returned as Minty Peterson, a character who was last seen on the square in 2010.
Ross Kemp – Kemp has returned to play Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp’s storyline as “explosive”. Kemp said it was an “absolute honour” to return to the show.
Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
Actor Jake Wood is returning to the show as Max Branning after a four year absence.
The BBC also accidentally leaked a major spoiler earlier this week that has shown the Queen Vic being put up for auction just weeks after it was rebuilt and reopened after the February explosion.