EastEnders star Kellie Bright is to leave the soap after playing one of its key characters, Linda Carter, for 13 years.

She arrived in Albert Square with on-screen husband Mick, portrayed by Danny Dyer, when they became the new owners of the Queen Vic pub.

Carter’s matriarch character has been central to major storylines including plots about murder, sexual assault and alcoholism.

Bright said she made the “tough decision” to leave more than a year ago but “happily” agreed to stay on to be part of an “exciting storyline”.

The BBC has promised “unmissable drama” before her on-screen exit, which is said to be a “while away” yet.

Executive producer Ben Wadey described the actor as being “the beating heart of EastEnders” and said she had become “a classic EastEnders icon”.

Viewers have seen the much-loved character at the heart of many emotional storylines including in 2014 when she was raped by her brother-in-law Dean Wicks.

More than 7m people watched the episode which prompted dozens of complaints. The sexual assualt led to long-running story arc about family conflict and trauma.

In 2022, Linda Carter’s husband vanished into the sea trying to save Janine Butcher. The soap followed her as she grieved and began to navigate life as a single mother.

She was also at the centre of the 2023 Christmas Day episode where she stabbed Keanu Taylor to death to save the life of her friend Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean.

More recently, the character opened a B&B and had several romances.

“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,” Bright said, referring to her husband and three sons.

Bright appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, and has starred in films including Ali G Indahouse in 2002 and 2005’s Kinky Boots.