EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley breaks silence on Karen Taylor exit

EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley has broken her silence over her upcoming exit from the soap.

Last month, it was confirmed that Stanley would be leaving her role as Karen Taylor after six years, with her exit scenes to air at the end of this year. She has now spoken for the first time since the news broke, sharing her thoughts in a post on Instagram.

The actress posted a clip from Australian comedian Chris Lilley's show Summer Heights High, which sees the character saying his farewells during his last day of work.

"Hey everyone! I'm so grateful for all of your lovely messages this past week," she wrote underneath the clip, before going on to thank writer Daran Little for creating the character.

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"Thank you to @daranlittle for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character."

She continued: "I'll be sad to be saying goodbye to Karen Taylor and will miss all the cast and crew at Eastenders. However I'm looking forward to my next chapter and excited about being a jobbing Actor again & starting new ventures.

"Again your kind words of support have been amazing!!! "

Fans were quick share their best wishes to the actress, with several adding that they would miss seeing Karen in the square.

"Absolutely gutted. You are an ICON, a LEGEND. Gonna miss Karen. Love you and Karen! Good luck for the future," one person commented.

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While another added: "Oh no I love watching you on Eastenders. You are a fab actress. I shall miss you lighting up our screen each week. Best of luck."

Stanley's departure coincides with the news that co-star Shona McGarty will also be leaving the show, with the actress deciding to quit her role as Whitney Dean after 15 years in order to pursue new opportunities.

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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