EastEnders actress Lindsey Coulson, who plays Carol Jackson, has confirmed she is leaving the Walford based series.
The soap star will film her final scenes shortly after five years back on screen playing Carol Jackson.
So far this year viewers have watched as Carol tried to get her life back on track after receiving the all-clear following a battle with breast cancer. While Coulson is scheduled to finish up in the coming weeks, it remains to be seen how she will depart the Square.
Speaking about her decision to leave the show Coulson said: "I have had a fantastic time playing the formidable Carol Jackson however, although I'll miss everything about EastEnders, I feel the time is right for me to move on.
"I've been involved in so many wonderful stories as Carol and now it's time for me to play some different characters and tell some new ones."
EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "EastEnders has always been so lucky to have an actress of Lindsey's calibre in the company - but we always knew that it wasn't indefinitely.
"We were thrilled when Lindsey signed for another year to play Carol's breast cancer story - and Lindsey's nuanced, brave and utterly real performance rightfully won her an award and praise from viewers, charities and women who have been through similar experiences to Carol.
"The door will always be open for Carol's return and we wish Lindsey huge love and luck as she embraces new roles away from Walford."
Coulson's original run as Carol was between 1993 and 1997. She returned briefly in 1999 and made a full-time comeback in 2010 to tie in with EastEnders' 25th anniversary episodes.
