Patsy Palmer to quit EastEnders in the autumn

(Image credit: BBC ONE/Adam Pensotti)

Patsy Palmer is quitting EastEnders after her second stint playing Bianca Butcher.

The actress, who is reportedly moving to Los Angeles in a bid to build a career in Hollywood, will leave the BBC One show this year.

EastEnders bosses have said they will not kill off her character, but have not decided on the storyline that will see her leave Walford.

EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "We are so sad that Patsy has decided to leave us, but completely understand that it's the right time for her.

"Bianca won't be leaving Albert Square until the autumn, so there's still a lot more to come from her on screen this year - and the door will be left wide open for her return. We won't be getting rid of Bianca's puffa jacket just yet."

A spokesman for the star said: "Patsy is really sad to be leaving the show as she loves playing Bianca and working with Dominic, but she knows it's the right decision at this time in her life."

Patsy originally joined EastEnders in 1993 and left in 1999 before rejoining in 2008.

– Press Association

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.