Is this the end for Janine? (Picture: BBC)
Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) is one of EastEnders’ most notorious villains.
Charlie took over the role of Janine in 1999, and has played the femme fatale on and off ever since.
Her latest stint on the BBC One soap has seen her fall in love with Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and do everything she can to prevent his ex wife Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) from getting in the way of their relationship.
She has really put Linda through her paces, from framing her for drunk driving to having her daughter Annie taken away by social services.
Despite all of this, Linda is still standing and therefore, in Janine’s eyes, is a massive threat.
This Christmas, it seems as though Janine’s lies are set to be exposed, as Shirley (Linda Henry) gets to the bottom of her lies.
With Danny Dyer set to leave his role after 9 years, is Charlie Brooks going to follow suit?
Will we be saying goodbye to Janine as well?
Is Charlie Brooks leaving EastEnders as Janine Butcher?
Janine is set to make an explosive exit on Christmas Day (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
The simple answer is yes, she is.
Her current stint on EastEnders has been for just 18 months, though according to Charlie this is longer than originally planned.
‘I was only ever due back to EastEnders for a year,’ she told The Sun, ‘but when [Executive Producer] Chris Clenshaw presented me with his idea for the story, I couldn’t say no to staying a little longer.
‘I’ve had an amazing time, as I always do when I go back.
‘But as always with Janine, she probably should not outstay her welcome — for everyone’s sake.’
With Danny Dyer’s final scenes set to air tonight (December 25), it is possible that they will go out together, though whether that will be alive or dead remains to be seen.
Janine returned to the Square in 2021, but will soon depart once more (Picture: BBC / Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
It has been teased that the Christmas day episode will feature a clifftop showdown between Janine, Mick and Linda.
Could this be the setting of their demise, or will they exit some other way?
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However it happens, Charlie Brooks’ exit from the show is imminent, and she will be sorely missed by us all.
We’re not crying, we swear!
EastEnders continues Christmas Day at 10:25pm on BBC One.
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Is Charlie Brooks leaving EastEnders?
