EastEnders fans convinced star has QUIT BBC soap after ‘disappearing' from screens without explanation
Lexi Pearce, played by Isabella Brown, has not been seen on-screen since the show's 40th anniversary episodes, which aired four months ago, back in February.
The character, whose parents are Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and the late Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), is about to turn 13 - but is nowhere to be found.
She was played by Dotti-Beau Cotterill from 2012 until 2015, when the character left Walford for Newcastle with her mother Lola, who was seeking a better life there.
Isabella took over playing the character in 2019 when the mum and daughter duo made their return to E20.
But fans on discussion site Reddit are now worried the young actress might have left the soap - and could be replaced, as many child stars have been over the years.
One viewer wrote on discussion site Reddit: 'Anyone know what's happening with Lexi?
'She hasn't been seen since the 40th anniversary and was rather absent prior to that too...
'With only nine appearances this year, I wouldn't be shocked to see her return with a new head [played by a new actress].'
Another said: 'Looks wise, the actress reminds me a lot of the old Amy Mitchell so I wonder if they'll recast her soon to someone older/older looking.'
Someone else hoped this would not happen: 'I hope she doesn't get recast. She's a great actress and it's nice to see a realistic looking teenager. Most teens are played by adults.'
Some wondered if there was quite a simple explanation: 'Not every character has to be on screen all the time. It's one of the perks of having an ensemble cast.'
Meanwhile, another stated, 'She's a child and has school', with someone else arguing back: 'So do the other child actors we see on a more regular basis.'
Other commenters made the point other child characters have taken long breaks too, including Lily, Hope and Arthur - so Lexi's absence is not necessarily unusual.
Fans on discussion site Reddit (pictured) are now worried the young actress might have left the soap - and could be replaced, as many child stars have been over the years
But some felt even those characters have had more screen time than Lexi: 'Also, Lexi could be considered a legacy character seeing as Ben Mitchell is her dad and Lola is dead. So you would think they would want to show more of her.'
Many fans hoped to see her back soon: 'I assume we'll be seeing more of her later in the year.
'Her and Lola's birthdays are coming up in July so it'd be nice if the show addressed it.'
Amid the heavy debate, one fan tried to reassure all their fellow commenters: 'Lexi isn't going anywhere, she's just waiting her turn.'
They made the point the actress is now at secondary school with a greater academic workload outside the show - so might just be taking some time off for that.
Also, with a large ensemble cast now, it is hard to get screen time: 'It becomes even more the case for child actors who are not only more difficult to rota around (due to school commitments) but are also subject to child labour laws.'
Her character Lexi is also unlikely to get a prominent role on-screen until her father Ben makes a permanent return, they argued.
They also referred to the example of Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), the daughter of long-running character Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner): 'We had a big period of screen time for Lily, followed by ages off screen.
'Then recently she had all the Martin stuff [Lily's adopted father, who died earlier this year, and is played by James Bye] and now she's gone for ages again so the actress can do her GCSEs. It's just the way it is!'
It follows fans raising similar concerns in December last year about another long absence Lexi had from the show.
This came after Lexi's mother Lola tragically passed away from a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.
To make matters worse, the young girl's father Ben was then jailed for fraud.
But to the delight of fans, Lexi made her return for the soap's huge 40th anniversary week episodes in February this year.
And actress Isabella's agent has previously confirmed she would continue to star as Lexi 'throughout 2025'.
EJC Management posted on Instagram in December, saying: 'So very proud of this young lady!
'Our incredible Isabella Brown will continue to play the brilliant Lexi Peace throughout 2025 in BBC EastEnders.
'Isabella joined the square six years ago and seeing her grow as an actress is such a joy!
'Her dedication, drive, professionalism and work ethic is so inspiring from someone so young.
'She has had some amazing storylines and we can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for Lexi!'
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