EastEnders star Kellie Bright has confirmed that she is leaving the BBC soap after 13 years in the role of Linda Carter, with the popular actor saying that it was the "right time" to depart the series. "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," added the producer, who called the actor an "EastEnders icon". The couple ran The Queen Vic for several years, though Dyer exited the soap in 2022. Bright isn't the first big-name departure from the soap this year, with it being reported last month that Michelle Ryan was due to depart later this year. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.