What lead to the decision and where to watch EastEnders in Ireland

The actress, 50, has played glamorous Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter since December 2013, becoming one of the best-loved characters in Albert Square.

Bright revealed she actually made the decision over a year ago, but agreed to stay on after producers Kate Oates and Ben Wadey asked her to be part of a storyline they had planned.

Her character Linda, wife of Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, has been at the centre of some of the show’s biggest plots, and currently runs a bed and breakfast alongside her mother Elaine Peacock.

"EastEnders has been my home for 13 years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show," Kelli Bright said, "but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye.

Executive producer Ben Wadey paid tribute, saying Bright had been "at the beating heart of EastEnders" and had "cemented her as a classic EastEnders icon."

Irish viewers can keep up with Linda Carter’s exit on BBC One and RTÉ One, with episodes also streaming on BBC iPlayer and the RTÉ Player.

For more on the biggest British and Irish soaps and dramas, JOE has you covered with the latest BBC drama news, while the full announcement was confirmed by RTÉ Entertainment.