Kellie Bright is planning to leave 'EastEnders' for six months.
Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
The 40-year-old actress will bow out of the long-running soap as mouthy pub landlady Linda Carter later this year in order to give birth to her second child but, despite so many cast members quitting permanently, the blonde beauty is adamant she'll be back on the Square early next year.
Speaking to Inside Soap magazine: "I'll be on maternity leave for six months. 'EastEnders' were really flexible and left it entirely up to me. I didn't want to be away forever but I also wanted enough time at home to enjoy my new baby."
Kellie announced she and her husband Paul Stocker- who already have five-year-old son Freddy together - were expecting another little bundle of joy in May.
She tweeted at the time: "Shhh... Don't tell anyone, but I'm pregnant! My hubby and I are over the moon & looking forward 2 meeting our little person in Nov #Mama@40 (sic)."
Although Kellie's alter ego will be making a return, the same can't be said for Annette Badland - who plays acid tongue chef Aunt Babe - as she's being written out this year.
However, bosses are leaving the door open for her return.
A spokesperson said: "Prior to living in the Vic [the soap's popular pub], Aunt Babe was seen coming and going from the Square to her own life away from Walford. So while she won't be a permanent resident, Babe will still be in the wings - and coujld well continue to cause aggro for the Carters."