EastEnders star Molly Rainford is set to exit after two years.
The actress, 24, joined the BBC soap as Anna Knight as part of a huge shake-up at The Queen Vic in 2023.
A spokesperson told Metro: ‘We can confirm that Molly Rainford will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish her all the best for the future.’
Some of her biggest storylines have included being spiked in the local nightclub – which spawned a special digital spin-off series – and reuniting with her estranged mother Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).
The Walford icon had given birth to her while assuming a different identity in witness protection, and then fled the family home when they were placed under threat.
A more recent plot saw Anna conflicted between then-boyfriend Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) and his best mate Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier), later falling pregnant with Bobby’s child and terminating the pregnancy.
The character has been notably absent for some time, with it being explained that she’s visiting a friend in Spain.
Molly, who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent at the age of 11, is just the latest of several stars who have been axed by new executive producer Ben Wadey.
Clair Norris and Matthew James Morrison will depart their Bernie Taylor and Felix Baker roles in the coming weeks, with Bobby Brazier also leaving after three years.
Whether or not their exits will coincide remains to be seen.
Wadey has also been instrumental in reintroducing Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater after two decades, with newcomer Pierre Moullier stepping into Oscar Branning’s shoes this summer.
On Molly’s exit, a source told The Sun: ‘New boss Ben Wadey is making sweeping changes on the show and his decision coincided with Mollie deciding she wanted to pursue other challenges.
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‘She’s hugely talented and wants to spread her wings and see what else is out there for her.’
An insider added to the publication: ‘Molly came into the show two years ago, and in that time has been trusted with some great storylines.
‘It’s just so happened that when Molly was considering other options in her career, a meeting was held to discuss the future of the character, and both parties were in mutual agreement that it was the right time for Anna Knight to wave goodbye to Walford.’
EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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