Tina Hobley is glad her 'Holby City' character Chrissie Williams isn't being killed off.
The 41-year-old actress was devastated when she found out her alter-ego was being diagnosed with cancer as part of her exit story, but she breathed a sigh of relief when show bosses agreed to leave it open for her to return at a later date.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, she said: "I know that everyone loves a death in these shows, so when I found out Chrissie would be diagnosed with cancer I did fear the worst.
"The writers have made it very positive and left it beautifully open - the character can always come back, which I was really pleased about. This is not an end, it's a departure."
Tina - who announced she was leaving the medical drama last month after 12 years on the show - insists she'll enjoy every last moment she has left on set, but feels ready to leave to try her hand at new challenges and spend some quality time with her family.
She explained: "I'm going to enjoy every minute of playing her. When Chrissie leaves, it is a very stress-free, easy exit, which is the way that I want to live my life from now on.
"I feel sad and very emotional, but I am excited and I feel like it's the next chapter.
"I do think I've had a mini mid-life crisis. In your early 40s, you do start to re-evaluate things.
"Working at 'Holby' has been amazing, but it was long 12-hour days and I was always rushing home to try and do something with the kids."
Tina is to quit 'Holby' with medical dramas at the top of their game at the moment, according to Virgin Media's The Hotlist.
The measurement tool - which provides an alternative view on TV engagement by looking at looking at live and on-demand views, as well as social media engagement and sentiment - has revealed 'Casualty' and 'Holby City' have proved more popular than the likes of 'EastEnders' and 'Coronation Street' this summer.
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