EastEnders confirms SHOCK exit for THIS Walford favourite after 10 years

There's a surprise departure on the cards for EastEnders' Kim Fox, as actress Tameka Empson bows out from the soap...

There is a sad departure on the cards as EastEnders actress Tameka Empson - better known to soap fans as feisty Kim Fox - bids farewell to Walford.

But fear not - it has been hinted that her exit is only temporary as the actress takes a break from the role she has been playing since 2009.

Kim's exit storyline begins next week when she tells her sister Denise that she has been offered a job in Scotland.

EastEnders Kim tells Denise she’s moving to Scotland EastEnders — Kim tells Denise that she is moving to Scotland... (Picture: BBC)

While it is yet to be confirmed exactly how long the character will be away from our screens, it seems she isn't being written out permanently and will be making a return.

EastEnders fans will know that Kim went to Scotland after her husband Vincent Hubbard disappeared last year.

MORE: EastEnders' most UNEXPECTED love triangle hits Albert Square next week

The character, who has become a much-loved part of the cast, has been on a rollercoaster over the last 10 years, with Kim featuring in some of the biggest storylines.

Not only was she at the centre of Vincent's vanishing act, which saw her left to face life alone as a single mum to Pearl. She also then discovered she was pregnant with her second child, Mica - a son Vincent doesn't even know about.

Kim Fox-Hubbard EastEnders — Kim was devastated when husband Vincent vanished last year (Picture: BBC)

More recently Kim has been fighting with newcomer Chantelle Atkins, who she's clashed with at work.

The pair got off to a bad start when Chantelle moved into Kim's old home that she shared with Vincent, and they have been like chalk and cheese ever since.

Eventually their fighting led to Kim's departure from the salon that she was running with her sister Denise - but with Kim's new job now waiting for her in Scotland, it seems she is facing a fresh start.

While Kim's exit from Albert Square appears to be a fairly quiet affair, fans will certainly miss her and are thrilled that she won't be away for long...

But what will Kim be doing on her break from Walford?

Could she try and track down her beloved Vincent and bring him back to Albert Square with her when she returns?

Vincent Hubbard EastEnders — Could Kim return with Vincent? (Picture: BBC)

Now that would be a storyline worth waiting for!

EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.