EastEnders actress Clair Norris has opened up about her emotional departure from the long-running BBC One soap.

The star, 27, who joined the cast in 2017 as Bernie Taylor, is leaving the show after eight years. 

Her exit follows the gradual departure of the entire Taylor family, prompting show bosses to write out her much-loved character, news that left Clair devastated. 

Despite the disappointment, Clair shared that she’s now looking forward to what the future holds. 

Speaking to The Sun, she said: ‘Obviously it’s upsetting but also I’d been there for eight years, which is a long time to play a character, and I have absolutely loved being in the show. 

From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail’s new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.

EastEnders actress Clair Norris opened up about her emotional departure from the long-running BBC One soap at the British Soap Awards last week (pictured)

The star, 27, who joined the cast in 2017 as Bernie Taylor, is leaving the show after eight years (pictured on the soap)

She added: ‘They gave me the opportunity to learn on the job and also now I am able to take that onto other things that I do.

‘Of course, it’s sad but at the same time, it felt like a natural end, with the Taylors being gone, it kind of felt right. I’m now very excited about the future.’

While keeping quiet on the specifics of her exit, which she filmed last month, Clair teased a dramatic departure, hinting that fans may see a return of ‘bad Bernie’. 

When asked whether her on-screen mum Karen (played by Lorraine Stanley) might return, Clair responded coyly ‘Maybe, maybe not’. 

Clair, who joined her EastEnders co-stars in celebrating their eight wins at the British Soap Awards, revealed she is now figuring out her next steps.

However, she added that she’s ‘open to anything,’ and said that exploring theatre or appearing in a drama would be ‘great’.

Last month, it was confirmed that the star will exit the soap later this year. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Every time a soap gets a new boss they want to make their own changes – it’s nothing personal.

Her exit follows the gradual departure of the entire Taylor family, prompting show bosses to write out her much-loved character, news that left Clair devastated (pictured Lorraine Stanley, Danny Walters, Clair, Tom and Alfie Jacobs)

Despite the disappointment, Clair shared that she’s now looking forward to what the future holds (pictured in March)

Speaking at the awards, she said: ‘Obviously it’s upsetting but also I’d been there for eight years, which is a long time to play a character, and I have absolutely loved being in the show’

Read More Beloved EastEnders star leaving after eight years on soap as BBC bosses ‘close the chapter’ for iconic Walford family

‘The writing has been on the wall for Bernie for some time so it wasn’t really a surprise to Clair.

‘She was the last Taylor standing and it’s time to close the chapter on them and let Clair go on to do other things.’ 

EastEnders said in their official comment: ‘We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future.’ 

The BBC soap isn’t the only programme that Clair has starred in over the years.

During her five-month break between October 2021 and March 2022, she was able to focus on some other projects.

In 2022 she took on the role of a drunk girl in the sitcom Bloods. The same year she also played Kerry in the drama Tell Me Everything.

The star has also played herself in a number of shows including The Weakest Link in 2021.

She also starred in her own Panorama documentary called Obesity: Who Cares if I’m Bigger? In 2022.