Lawrence is to leave Albert Square
Comic Josie Lawrence is to leave 'EastEnders' next year.
Warning: spoiler alert!
Digital Spy, which broke the story, says that Lawrence, who plays Manda Best, will leave the show after discovering that boyfriend Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi) is hiding a "huge secret".
Lawrence told Digital Spy: "It has been an amazing year at 'EastEnders' and I have made some fantastic friends among both the cast and crew.
"I am somebody who likes to do a variety of different projects, and now seems the right time to move on."
An unnamed source said of Manda and Minty: "Their relationship takes a turn for the worst when Manda discovers that Minty's been hiding something from her. The revelation then serves as the catalyst for Manda's exit."
But Lawrence's on-screen son Adam (David Proud) will be staying in Albert Square.
The source said: "Even though Manda's leaving, Adam's sticking around in Walford. There's lots to come for him as the love triangle between Adam, Libby (Belinda Owusu) and Darren (Charlie G Hawkins) rumbles on."
