EastEnders fans gutted as BBC soap star exits after 8 years
Clair Norris, who plays the role of Bernie Taylor on the BBC soap, will exit later this year as part of a 'dramatic' storyline.
The 27-year-old has played the part of the Albert Square favourite, who is also the daughter of Karen Taylor, since the Taylor family first arrived in 2017.
But with Clair soon to depart and Felix (Matthew Morrison) also leaving EastEnders (as The Sun previously reported), the Taylor family will soon be no more (for now).
Karen left in 2024 alongside Mitch and their grandchildren, Mia and Mackenzie.
Meanwhile, their son on screen, Keanu, was killed off in 2023 as part of 'The Six' murder plot.
Plus, daughter Chantelle was murdered by husband Gray Atkins in 2020, followed by son Keegan, who moved to Germany in 2022.
EastEnders fans 'gutted' about Clair Norris leaving BBC soap
Reacting to Clair's exit news, soap fans have taken to X to share their thoughts, as one posted: 'Gutted about Bernie – Clair is a fab actor & feels quintessentially #EastEnders but sadly she was written into a bit of a tricky corner once they axed all her family. Hope the character finds love in her way out bless her…x'
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This person also agreed: 'I think it's a shame they have axes Bernie & have sidelined her for ages but I'm not really surprised either as they completely isolated her by axing they Taylor's, there is nothing really on the square for her anymore.'
Someone else wrote: 'Oh dear how sad never mind.'
A source told The Sun: 'Every time a soap gets a new boss they want to make their own changes - it's nothing personal.
'The writing has been on the wall for Bernie for some time so it wasn't really a surprise to Clair.
'She was the last Taylor standing and it's time to close the chapter on them and let Clair go on to do other things.'
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Another added: 'Everyone at EastEnders loves Clair but often characters have to leave for new stories to begin, that's the nature of soap.
'Clair will be missed but she will always be part of the EastEnders family.'
An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed the news to Newsquest: 'We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future.'
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