Karen’s fate hangs in the balance, with fans worried about what’s ahead for her (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) is set to exit EastEnders later this year in what will no doubt be a truly explosive way following news that bosses have opted to write the character out.
The popular character has been at the centre of plenty of drama since rocking up in the Square six years ago, cementing herself as a true favourite of Walford with fans of the show.
But the time has come to say goodbye, with EastEnders having confirmed that Karen will be leaving the soap in upcoming scenes, with bosses inevitably working around the clock to make her exit a memorable one.
Speculation as to how she’ll be will be written out has since commenced, though it has proven particularly difficult to work out a feasible reason as to why Karen would ever up sticks and leave, given that the matriarch has never previously exhibited any desire to live away from her loved ones.
With the rest of the Taylor and Bakers staying put, why would Karen ever depart the Square, leaving her family behind? This conundrum has therefore led viewers to the conclusion that the character will be killed off.
But how?
With EastEnders now lining up a fire storyline this autumn, which will see a terrifying blaze rip through the Square leaving chaos in its wake, will Karen perhaps end up a casualty of the atrocity?
Will there be more tragedy this autumn? (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
The laundrette, where she’s worked for the past five years, is just opposite Kathy’s cafe, which is reportedly going to be destroyed in the fire, so it’s certainly a possibility.
Karen’s exit was confirmed earlier this month, with Metro.co.uk understanding that it was EastEnders’ decision to write the character out, with her final scenes set to air later this year.
Lorraine Stanley is set to exit EastEnders later this year (Picture: WireImage)
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Lorraine Stanley subsequently took to social media to share her sadness over the decision, paying tribute to all of those who played a key role in her time on the BBC One soap.
‘Thank you to [writer] Daran Little for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character,’ she said.
‘I’ll be sad to be saying goodbye to Karen Taylor and will miss all the cast and crew at EastEnders.
‘However I’m looking forward to my next chapter and excited about being a jobbing Actor again & starting new ventures.
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‘Again your kind words of support have been amazing!!! I’m going to miss my Taylor/Baker famalam Clair Norris, Danny Walters, Roger Griffiths and Matthew Morrison. Much love.’
Lorraine isn’t the only one set to leave in the coming months, with Whitney Dean star Shona McGarty also departing after 15 years.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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Time to say goodbye.