She delighted fans by reprising her role as Bianca Jackson earlier this week.
But Patsy Palmer’s impending exit from EastEnders is coming sooner than fans may have hoped, with the actress filming her final scenes for the soap on Friday.
The soap star, 51, was spotted heading back to her London hotel after wrapping work on her return as Bianca.
Patsy put on a colourful display in purple joggers, teamed with black, red, and white Nike high-top Air Force trainers.
Desperately trying to carry all her scripts, phone and bag in one hand, the fiery redhead wrapped up warm in a knee-length black puffer coat.
Patsy Palmer cut a casual figure as she arrived at her London hotel after filming her last scenes on EastEnders.
The soap star, 51, put on a colourful display as she stepped out in purple joggers after filming the final scenes of her brief return as Bianca Jackson for the BBC show
Patsy’s character first hit screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family.
She returned to screens in 2002 for a special and made further returns in 2009 and 2019, before her upcoming comeback.
In January, Patsy was seen filming alongside her on-screen daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy alongside a police car in a move that will no doubt delight long-time fans of the show.
During the evening scene, heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona), can be seen walking into trouble as she tries to look out for a young mysterious girl.
Bianca, Zack, and Sonia were also spotted trying to lend Whitney a helping hand.
However, things quickly spiral out of control when the four of them come across the young girl’s mother, who is also a drug addict, and a violent fight breaks out.
Tragedy then quickly struck after heavily pregnant Whitney suddenly gets hit by a car, sparking speculation that the star could be about to have a heartbreaking end to her time on the show.
During the devastating scene, Zack and Sonia can be seen looking on in utter shock as they witness Whitney being run over and the scene ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.
Desperately trying to carry all her scripts, phone and bag in one hand, the fiery redhead wrapped up warm in a knee-length black puffer coat
Patsy’s character first hit screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family
However, fans will have to wait and see whether this tragic accident will be linked to her exit.
Patsy announced her return to the soap earlier in the month, writing: ‘I’m so excited to be reprising the role of Bianca. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, so it’s always a pleasure to be back.’
It comes after Shona McGarty, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.’
A source told the publication that it ‘wasn’t an easy decision’ but that Shona feels now is the right time to ‘try something new.’
They added: ‘She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.’
As the adopted daughter of the infamous Bianca (played by Patsy), Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines.
In January, Patsy was seen filming alongside her on-screen daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy alongside a police car in a move that will no doubt delight long-time fans of the show. During the evening scene, heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona), can be seen walking into trouble as she tries to look out for a young mysterious girl
In 2008 Whitney was groomed and abused by her onscreen mum’s partner and in 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap’s 35th anniversary.
It is thought Shona will pursue a singing career, something she hasn’t shied away from.
The source told The Sun: ‘As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.’
The star narrowly missed out on winning the Best Leading Performer at last year’s British Soap Awards, but EastEnders bagged the big prize – Best British Soap.
