EastEnders stars Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald are leaving the soap, the BBC has confirmed.
The duo, who play sisters Lauren and Abi Branning, have been staple characters in the BBC One show.
❤️@LornaFitz0 pic.twitter.com/9xYD1JPDQK
— Jacqueline Jossa (@jacquelineMjos) September 10, 2017
Fitzgerald, whose character Abi told Steven Beale she was pregnant with his baby seconds before he died on Friday’s episode, joined the soap 11 years ago.
Is Abi's happily ever after slipping away from her? 🏥😧 pic.twitter.com/cXBzcfnj3m
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) September 8, 2017
Her sister Lauren, played by Jossa, was engaged to Beale and his death will lead to the sisters having a showdown in Monday’s instalment.
Jossa, who is married to former The Only Way Is Essex star Dan Osbourne, joined the show in 2010.
Always ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XTTBldeJDS
— Jacqueline Jossa (@jacquelineMjos) July 18, 2017
A spokeswoman for the soap said: “”We can confirm that Jacqueline and Lorna will be leaving EastEnders.
“They have both been wonderful to work with and we wish them all the best for the future.”
A source told the Sun on Sunday the departures were part of a shake-up by new show boss John Yorke.
It added: “He has form for creating huge plots, so they’re in safe hands over their departure.
“It will be one of the biggest on-screen moments of the year.
“Sometimes a great storyline comes at the cost of losing some character. The cast will be sorry to see them go.”