She has been a popular and beloved character on Albert Square over the last 21 years but Patsy Palmer is finally hanging up Bianca Jackson's gold puffa jacket.
The actress has quit EastEnders, reportedly to pursue a career in Hollywood, after playing the fiesty redhead since 1993.
In a statement, Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "We are so sad that Patsy has decided to leave us, but completely understand that it's the right time for her."
Patsy Palmer has quit EastEnders (WENN)
But he added that she won't be leaving until later this year and the door would be left open for Palmer to return.
He said: "Bianca won't be leaving Albert Square until the Autumn, so there's still a lot more to come from her on screen this year – and the door will be left wide open for her return.
"We won't be getting rid of Bianca's puffa jacket just yet."
And her spokesperson added to the BBC: "Patsy is really sad to be leaving the show as she loves playing Bianca and working with Dominic.
"But she knows it's the right decision at this time in her life."
Patsy, 42, is, according to the Mirror, leaving the long-running soap to pursue a career in Hollywood and is believed to be relocating her family to Los Angeles this summer.
Patsy has played the feisty Bianca since 1993 (BBC Pictures)
A source told the paper: "Not only is Patsy excited about future work in Hollywood, she is making the move for the sake of the whole family. It is a lifestyle choice for them.
'She has lots of exciting offers lined up and feels the time is right to say goodbye. Her children are at the age where they can be moved across to the States relatively easily. And it has always been her big ambition to crack Hollywood."
EntertainmentWise has contacted Patsy's people for comment.
Patsy, who was born Julie Anne Harris, joined the soap in 1993 but left in 1999.
She returned in a one-off special which reunited her and on-screen husband Ricky, played by Sid Owen, only to permanently come back to the soap in 2008.
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