EastEnders' Lorna Fitzgerald reveals exciting new career path
She was on EastEnders for 12 years
Last updated 1st Feb 2018
EastEnders actress Lorna Fitzgerald has announced an exciting new career path, following her dramatic exit from the popular soap.
Lorna, who plays the character Abi Branning in the soap, was involved in some shocking scenes alongside her on-screen sister Lauren and her dad Max on Christmas Day.
As Abi and Lauren tried to talk their dad down off the roof of the famous Queen Vic, both Abi and Lauren slipped and fell. Although Lauren survived, pregnant Abi was pronounced brain dead, with medics confirming she had zero chance of ever regaining consciousness.
After weeks of being kept alive on a life support machine, EastEnders viewers were left in tears last week when the decision was made to end her life by switching off the machine.
Now, after nearly 12 years on the soap, actress Lorna is ready to embark on a brand new career path, revealing she's going to make her stage debut in The Shadow Factor.
Speaking to Digital Spy about her new role, Lorna said, "It's really exciting. The play is really cool and a lot different to what I'm used to. There's loads to the story and it feels really modern for a period piece, so there's a great mix to it.
"The play is based on a true story – not so much the individual characters, but the story of how people in Southampton had their properties requisitioned to make parts of the Spitfire during the war.
"My character Jackie is quite bolshy. She's a normal 21-year-old, who has to adapt to the war and her family's business being taken over."
Lorna has been keeping her online following up to date about her new venture, admitting just yesterday that rehearsals for the show are going well. Sharing a photo to her Instagram page, Lorna wrote, 'Rehearsals for #theshadowfactory are in full swing! Roll on next Wednesday 🙌🏼'.
After spending most of her acting life on EastEnders, it's no surprise Lorna was emotional when her final scenes on the show aired.
After the episode, Lorna posted a throwback photo of her on-screen debut with the caption, 'Overwhelmed by the comments from last nights episode! ☺️Don't know where to start with thanking you all for the past 12 years 😘 R.I.P Abi Branning... it's been a blast! 💋'. sic
Fans were quick to comment on her photo, admitting how much she will be missed on the soap. One user wrote, 'You have been one of my favourite characters and I am so sad you are no longer on the show! I have watched since day one with my mum, so cool to see you grow. You are so talented I hope you get to do new things! 💕 x'. sic
Another then added, 'Loved you guys as a family with Tanya! Classic Eastenders family ❤️ all the best for the future xx' sic
Check out what all of your favourite soap characters are up to now:
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Molly Conlin AKA Dotty Cotton, EastEnders
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Helen Flanagan AKA Rosie Webster, Coronation Street
Corrie's bad girl had some meaty storylines including being kidnapped (twice!) and dealing with her mother's breast cancer diagnosis. Helen left the soap in 2011, but what has she been up to since?
Helen Flanagan AKA Rosie Webster, Coronation Street
Nine years since leaving the soap, the actress has appeared in I'm a Celeb, Celebrity Super Spa, Celebrity Wedding Planner and Holby City. She now has two daughters with her fiancé Scott Sinclair. So adorbs.
Melissa Suffield AKA Lucy Beale, EastEnders
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Melissa Suffield AKA Lucy Beale, EastEnders
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Ellis Hollins AKA Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Ellis Hollins has played Hollyoak's Tom Cunningham since he was just three years old and his storylines have gripped us all, from dealing with his mother's shock death to dealings with Sienna Blake... But where is Tom now?
Ellis Hollins AKA Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Seventeen ears later, Ellis is still in Hollyoaks (as lovable as ever) and was even spotted in Ibiza partying. Oh and he's won eight soap awards.
Sam Aston AKA Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
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Sam Aston AKA Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
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Eden Taylor-Draper AKA Belle Dingle, Emmerdale
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Eden Taylor-Draper AKA Belle Dingle, Emmerdale
Eden is still in Emmerdale and recently was involved in a storyline where she's had an affair with married man Jamie Tate. Uh oh.
Charlie Jones AKA Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
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Charlie Jones AKA Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
Charlie is now studying acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts – he looks COMPLETELY different to his Walford days.
Charlie Clements AKA Bradley Branning, EastEnders
Albert Square's favourite ginge (apart from his onscreen dad Max, obv) Bradley, was a knitted jumper-wearing sweetheart and made us want to pinch his cheeks through the television between 2006 - 2010. We are still getting over his tragic fall, where he saw his grizzly end. Where is Charlie now?
Charlie Clements AKA Bradley Branning, EastEnders
We hardly recognise Charlie Clements with a beard! The actor uploaded the snap to Twitter with the caption. "A year ago everyone was up in arms because I looked SO different at 28 to 18.. bet they didn't expect this at 29! #actor 'chameleon'", He has since starred as Charlie Brackenreid in Murdoch Mysteries.
Sonny Flood AKA Josh Ashworth, Hollyoaks
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Sonny Flood AKA Josh Ashworth, Hollyoaks
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Maisie Smith AKA Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders
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Maisie Smith AKA Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders
Despite releasing a single in 2016, Walford is where Maisie's heart is at, and she returned to the soap full-time in 2017. She's now a TikTok star and we're obsessed with all her videos.
Amy and Emily Walton AKA Bethany Platt, Coronation Street
Little Bethany Platt had a traumatic life during her short years on the soap initially before her exit in 2007. But did you know she was actually played by twins, Amy and Emily Walton?
Amy and Emily Walton AKA Bethany Platt, Coronation Street
Amy and Emily, now 17, haven't really explored the world of acting more since they left the show, and are now concentrating on studying.
After growing up with her on-screen family, Lorna has vowed to keep in touch with the likes of Jacqueline Jossa and Jake Wood.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Lorna said, "I get on really well with everyone there, but I've stayed in touch with Jake Wood, Jacqueline Jossa and the younger cast. It's really nice to have that – you make the effort to still speak with them when you get along with them so well. I think a few of them will be coming along to the play, which is nice."
EastEnders continues weekdays.