EastEnders has seen the departures of Walford legends Martin Fowler, Bianca Jackson and Sonia Fowler already this year and there’s more

to come, so who’s leaving EastEnders in 2025? And they won’t be alone either, following the news that Freddie and Stacey Slater are set to exit the soap later this year.

But never fear – there are also a host of old faces expected to return to the soap, as well as plenty of returns too. And, with newcomers Ross and Joel Marshall still making waves in Walford along with drug-dealer Okie, the Square remains as drama-packed as ever.

The most high-profile of the recent exit announcements, Lacey Turner is set to leave the soap after 21 years. The actress has played Stacey Slater since 2004, growing the ranks of the Slater family with her own brood of children in Lily, Arthur and Hope.

“We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year,” a soap insider revealed. “But there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right.”

In real life, Lacey gave birth to her third child, Gipsy Olive. She took a quick break from filming, but returned for the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode – just in time for Martin’s traumatic death. Given Lacey’s parenting duties and Stacey’s guilt and grief in the soap, we’d say they’ve both earned a break!

The most high-profile of the recent exit announcements, Lacey Turner is set to leave the soap after 21 years. The actress has played Stacey Slater since 2004, growing the ranks of the Slater family with her own brood of children in Lily, Arthur and Hope.

“We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year,” a soap insider revealed. “But there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right.”

In real life, Lacey gave birth to her third child, Gipsy Olive. She took a quick break from filming, but returned for the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode – just in time for Martin’s traumatic death. Given Lacey’s parenting duties and Stacey’s guilt and grief in the soap, we’d say they’ve both earned a break!

Bobby Brazier is making an exit from EastEnders, it has been revealed. An EastEnders rep told The Sun: “We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Freddie Slater still has some time to go though, as bosses have reportedly planned a big story for his exit.

So how will we say goodbye to Bobby? Will he leave to be with his mum, Little Mo? It’s not been revealed whether the door will be left open for his return, but we’re keeping our finger crossed Freddie leaves alive.

The latest star announced to be leaving Walford is Honey Mitchell, played by Emma Barton. The actress, who first appeared on the soap in 2005, is said to be taking a break from the soap to appear in a pantomime production of Snow White.

In a change from Honey’s sunny and upbeat disposition, she’ll be playing wicked witch Carabosse. A spokesperson from Torquay Princess Theatre told The Sun: “Emma is delighted to be back on stage, working with Jordan Productions again, in Sleeping Beauty.

“With live music, stunning sets, slick choreography, sensational costumes and special effects, Sleeping Beauty promises to be Torquay’s most spectacular Pantomime ever.”

However, Emma’s departure is only expected to be brief, and she should resume filming duties after the Christmas break.