Maddy Hill and Himesh Patel have quit 'EastEnders'.

Maddy Hill

Maddy Hill

The pair, who play Nancy Carter and Tamwar Masood on the BBC soap, have already filmed their final scenes and are expected to leave the show in the next few weeks.

Maddy told Digital Spy: It was time for Nancy to take a break from her family and me from 'EastEnders' after having a wonderful time working on the show.

"I was surrounded by a terrific team both on and off camera and I shall miss seeing them all on a daily basis, especially the fabulous Carter family."

Himesh added: "I'm looking forward to new challenges, perhaps on the stage or behind the camera. Whatever awaits me, I'll miss my family at 'EastEnders' immensely - they've watched me grow from boy to man and supported me every step of the way."

Maddy joined the show in 2014 as part of the Carter family, who took over the Queen Vic pub.

She won rave reviews and a number of awards, including Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards and British Soap Awards, for her portrayal of the feisty blonde.

And Himesh, who stars as market inspector Tamwar, has been part of the show since 2007, with his on-screen sister Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) leaving the soap earlier this year.