EastEnders: ANOTHER shock exit on the way as Aunt Babe leaves Walford
EASTENDERS' Aunt Babe is set to leave Albert Square in 2017, it has been revealed.
Aunt Babe gets locked in the freezer by a mysterious person
Actress Annette Badland is bowing out from the soap but the door is set to be left open for a return.
Conniving the nation as Aunt Babe since 2014, the actress who plays Shirley and Tina Carter’s aunt is following in the footsteps of Sam Womack, Rita Simons and Danny Boy-Hatchard.
A BBC One soap insider confirmed the news but revealed that Aunt Babe will remain "in the wings", ready to cause further "aggro" for residents of Albert Square.
The insider said, according to Metro: “Prior to living in The Vic, Aunt Babe was seen coming and going from The Square with her own life away from Walford.
Aunt Babe is set to leave Albert Square in 2017
Actress Annette Badland with her TV family
The rumours on set are that despite so many cast members leaving, many more will be following them
“She will still very much be in the wings and could well continue to cause aggro for the Carter family.”
BBC sources told how her exit has fuelled fears among cast members that they will be the next to be written out of the soap by new boss Sean O’Connor.
One told The Sun: “The rumours on set are that despite so many cast members leaving, many more will be following them.
“And understandably that has created a lot of concern. Several of the actors are waiting with bated breath, convinced that Sean’s axe will start swinging again.”
Annette Badland as Aunt Babe in EastEnders
The character became the centre focus of several dramatic storylines
Abi and Aunt Babe have a chat in the kitchen
The character became the centre focus of several dramatic storylines, including persuading Shirley to shoot Phil Mitchell.
Most recently Aunt Babe suggested to Abi Branning that she should fall pregnant by someone else after falsely telling boyfriend Ben Mitchell that she was expecting his baby.
Her scheming and manipulative ways have included threats, blackmail and insults which have ensured she now has many enemies in Albert Square.
EastEnders continues Monday at 8pm on BBC One.