It's safe to say that over the past year we've waved goodbye, welcomed, and seen the return of so many EastEnders characters that we've almost lost count.
Now, it's been confirmed that Lisa Hammond, who plays Donna Yates, is leaving the show, this year.
She first joined the square back in 2014 and during her time in Walford she discovered that Vincent Hubbard buried their mum in the basement, was left shocked when she found out that Claudette killed her husband Henry, and she asked her foster brother to be her sperm donor.
After four years of playing the character, Lisa has revealed that despite it being "so great to play Donna" she's bowing out of the show some time this year. She told Metro, "I’ve made lifelong friends at EastEnders and will really miss all of the brilliant cast and crew who have always been a pleasure to work with!
"I look forward to what the future brings."
An EastEnders spokesperson has said, "We can confirm Lisa will be leaving EastEnders in the coming months.
"Lisa has been a fantastic addition to the cast and she will be missed. We wish her all the very best for the future."
The news of Lisa leaving the popular TV soap is just the latest in a number of changes. Last month actress Laila Morse reprised her role of Big Mo in EastEnders after two years away.
Speaking about the return of Big Mo, actress Laila told the Radio Times, "Dear old Mo, she’s in a lot of trouble.
"She’s a very evil lady. If she was one of my relatives, I think I might do her in!"
Laila continued, "Mo doesn’t give a monkey’s what she does as long as she’s earning a few quid.
"She’d sell her own grandmother if she had one."
Laila last played the role of Big Mo in 2016 and left after six years in the popular soap. Laila also appeared as Big Mo in two spin-offs of EastEnders, EastEnders: Pat and Mo and EastEnders: E20.
Viewers also saw Kat Moon return to the soap last month. According to reports, Kat's on-screen husband will follow behind her. Shane Ritchie is set to start filming soon, with a TV insider revealing bosses at EastEnders have worked their magic to convince the actor to return to Walford, although it may not be longterm.
EastEnders continues on weekdays.
Take a look at all the stars set to leave EastEnders:
After having a relationship with her 17-year-old student in America, being disowned by her family and stalked by a guy she met on the train, EastEnders boss John Yorke has decided that Michelle's time on the square has come to an end.
Another popular EastEnders character is set to leave
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Ben Mitchell (played by Harry Reid)
He may be a legacy character, but Ben Mitchell is another EastEnders favourite who hasn't dodged the new producer's axe. It's been confirmed that Ben will be written out in a big storyline that's expected to air towards the end of this year.
An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: "We can confirm that Harry will be leaving EastEnders. Harry has been a great addition to the cast and we wish him all the best for the future."
After having a relationship with her 17-year-old student in America, being disowned by her family and stalked by a guy she met on the train, EastEnders boss John Yorke has decided that Michelle's time on the square has come to an end.
After seeing his last storyline, Richard Blackwood and BBC bosses decided it was time for him to leave the show. Speaking to Digital Spy, he admitted: "I have been truly blessed with some great storylines since the moment I joined, but when I was presented with my last story, I knew it was time for Vincent to depart Walford."
We wonder what will happen with Vincent and his onscreen wife Kim Fox.
Mitch Baker (played by Roger Griffiths)
Keeegan Baker's dad Mitch Baker has only just rocked up in Walford but he's already set to leave soon. Despite his brief appearance in EastEnders it's clear he's trouble for the Taylor family. Speaking about his time on the BBC One show, Roger (who plays the newbie) admitted: "I had a brilliant time and the actors who make up the Taylor family made me feel at home instantly. It was love at first sight."
Johnny Carter (played by Ted Reilly)
There will be a departure from Walford in 2018 when Linda and Mick Carter's son Johnny bows out of Albert Square. Since thatgas explosion earlier this year there's been a lot of speculation that he will be leaving Walford and now it's been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the BBC show has said: "We can confirm Ted has finished filming with EastEnders and wish him all the best for the future."
His departure is due to air in 2018 but bosses are keeping his exit top secret.
Fi Browning (played by Lisa Faulkner)
Fi Browning, who has been secretly working for Weyland & Co, the company owned by her father, has been planning to take over the businesses of the entire Square... this can only end badly.
Actress Lisa Faulkner confirmed Fi's departure from the BBC1 soap and told the Radio Times, ''We were always clear that there would be a beginning, middle and end – Fi was coming in to do a job. She was never going to be a new regular living on the Square and I have absolutely loved it."
Lauren and Abi Branning (played by Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald)
The Branning sisters are leaving the soap December 2017, which has 'epic Christmas day episode' written all over it. Lauren and Abi, who have starred in the soap for ELEVEN YEARS (though Lauren was originally portrayed by Madeline Duggan) and the pair have been enrolled in all sorts of storylines including alcoholism, blackmail, murder and shock pregnancies... just another day in Walford, eh!
Soap bosses confirmed the sisters will be saying bon voyage to The Square and 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.'
Their exit promises to be 'dramatic' and 'one of the biggest on-screen moments of the year'. Exciting!
Ben Mitchell (played by Harry Reid)
He may be a legacy character, but Ben Mitchell is another EastEnders favourite who hasn't dodged the new producer's axe. It's been confirmed that Ben will be written out in a big storyline that's expected to air towards the end of this year.
An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: "We can confirm that Harry will be leaving EastEnders. Harry has been a great addition to the cast and we wish him all the best for the future."
After having a relationship with her 17-year-old student in America, being disowned by her family and stalked by a guy she met on the train, EastEnders boss John Yorke has decided that Michelle's time on the square has come to an end.
After seeing his last storyline, Richard Blackwood and BBC bosses decided it was time for him to leave the show. Speaking to Digital Spy, he admitted: "I have been truly blessed with some great storylines since the moment I joined, but when I was presented with my last story, I knew it was time for Vincent to depart Walford."
We wonder what will happen with Vincent and his onscreen wife Kim Fox.
Mitch Baker (played by Roger Griffiths)
Keeegan Baker's dad Mitch Baker has only just rocked up in Walford but he's already set to leave soon. Despite his brief appearance in EastEnders it's clear he's trouble for the Taylor family. Speaking about his time on the BBC One show, Roger (who plays the newbie) admitted: "I had a brilliant time and the actors who make up the Taylor family made me feel at home instantly. It was love at first sight."
Johnny Carter (played by Ted Reilly)
There will be a departure from Walford in 2018 when Linda and Mick Carter's son Johnny bows out of Albert Square. Since thatgas explosion earlier this year there's been a lot of speculation that he will be leaving Walford and now it's been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the BBC show has said: "We can confirm Ted has finished filming with EastEnders and wish him all the best for the future."
His departure is due to air in 2018 but bosses are keeping his exit top secret.
Fi Browning (played by Lisa Faulkner)
Fi Browning, who has been secretly working for Weyland & Co, the company owned by her father, has been planning to take over the businesses of the entire Square... this can only end badly.
Actress Lisa Faulkner confirmed Fi's departure from the BBC1 soap and told the Radio Times, ''We were always clear that there would be a beginning, middle and end – Fi was coming in to do a job. She was never going to be a new regular living on the Square and I have absolutely loved it."
Lauren and Abi Branning (played by Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald)
The Branning sisters are leaving the soap December 2017, which has 'epic Christmas day episode' written all over it. Lauren and Abi, who have starred in the soap for ELEVEN YEARS (though Lauren was originally portrayed by Madeline Duggan) and the pair have been enrolled in all sorts of storylines including alcoholism, blackmail, murder and shock pregnancies... just another day in Walford, eh!
Soap bosses confirmed the sisters will be saying bon voyage to The Square and 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.'
Their exit promises to be 'dramatic' and 'one of the biggest on-screen moments of the year'. Exciting!
Ben Mitchell (played by Harry Reid)
He may be a legacy character, but Ben Mitchell is another EastEnders favourite who hasn't dodged the new producer's axe. It's been confirmed that Ben will be written out in a big storyline that's expected to air towards the end of this year.
An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: "We can confirm that Harry will be leaving EastEnders. Harry has been a great addition to the cast and we wish him all the best for the future."
