BBC EastEnders star breaks silence after on-screen soap exit

Leader Live

3 days ago

Clair Norris, who played the role of Bernadette (Bernie) Taylor, saw her final scenes air last night (July 1).
The actress' exit marks the final nail in the coffin for the Taylor family, who have now all left the show.
Breaking her silence on the exit, she said the role, which she first took on in 2017, was the "best" and that it "changed my life".
Bernie left on screen alongside her cousin, Felix Baker, after a theft storyline played out.
It was revealed Bernie had been stealing from the Panesars, and despite them trying to catch her in the act, she was already planning to leave to avoid facing any consequences.
After packing her bags, she and Felix left in a taxi to leave Walford.
Following the exit playing out on screen, Norris took to social media to post a heartfelt message and goodbye to EastEnders.
She said: "My last ep airs tonight and with that comes a flood of memories.
"EastEnders was my first audition, and my first job. Having come from college and having no experience in this industry, Julia, Wayne and Sean all took a chance on me to play Bernadette Taylor and for that, I can't be thankful enough.
"Eight years later and honestly, this job has changed my life.
A post shared by Clair Hayley Norris (@clair_norris)
"It's true what they all said at the beginning, EastEnders is one big family & I'm so lucky to have met and worked with some amazing people.
"I will always have an attachment to Bernie, she represents so many girls out there who wear their hearts of their sleeves and don't quite fit in…no offence to anyone who wears purple coats.
"I have adored playing her and she will forever hold a special place in my heart. This has been the best first role ever."
A number of EastEnders co-stars have wished the actress well after posting her farewell message on social media.
Lorraine Stanley, who played Bernie's mum Karen Taylor in the BBC soap from 2017 to 2024, said: "It was an honour to play your Mum. You're Amazing!!.
"Wishing you all the best! Love you lots."
Goodbye Clair and Bernie! Always bringing both the tears and the laughter, she's been a brilliant resident of Albert Square - we'll miss you dearly! ❤️ #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/UwJrWzqdeG
Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar-Unwin, said: "An absolute honour to have shared the screen with you, Claire. You are phenomenal!!.
"Here's to you and all the brilliant things about to come your way."
Navin Chowdhry, who is Nish Panesar, said: "You've been brilliant Claire! What an exciting journey ahead!!"
Molly is not the only star to leave the show this year.
Bobby Brazier is leaving popular BBC soap EastEnders after four years.
Molly Rainford, known for playing Queen Vic barmaid Anna Knight on the BBC soap, will also be leaving.
One of the biggest departures of the year was Natalie Cassidy, who played Sonia Fowler in EastEnders, and left the show after 32 years.
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Speaking about her exit, she said: 'It felt very final but also very good. It's a nice place to leave Sonia after so much has happened to her.
'Sonia feels like she's never going to live down what happened with Reiss, so the only thing to do is leave the Square.
'I'm never going to say goodbye to her because, after 32 years, Sonia is ingrained in me. So, while I'm saying goodbye on screen, for now, Sonia is always there, knocking about!'