Patsy Palmer quits soap

Patsy Palmer is to leave EastEnders, it has been announced.

The 41-year-old actress has played Bianca Butcher on the BBC One soap since 1993.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Palmer said: "Patsy is really sad to be leaving the show as she loves playing Bianca and working with executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins but she knows it's the right decision at this time in her life."

Meanwhile, EastEnders' Treadwell-Collins confirmed that he would not be killing off Palmer's character.

He added: "We are so sad that Patsy has decided to leave us but completely understand 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."

The mother-of-four will reportedly move with her family to Los Angeles this summer.

Palmer originally exited the show in 1999 before she returned for a one-off episode in 2002. She reprised the part of Bianca full-time again in 2008.

The future of the market is decided

A decision is finally reached over the future of the market on EastEnders next week.

The community has been rocked recently following market inspector Aleks' suggestion that the local market could be closed down.
Upcoming scenes see Aleks (Kristian Kiehling) reveal to the Bridge Street stallholders that there will be an official announcement about the final decision imminently. 

As several Walford residents corner Aleks for answers, the plans are eventually announced at a meeting later that day. But what decision has been made?

The storyline also introduces newcomer Donna Yates, whose first scenes are aired when Bianca and Kat mistake her for someone from the council and confront her.

Market trader Donna, played by Lisa Hammond, has been described as "flinty, aggressive and difficult" and is the second regular disabled character to appear on Albert Square.
EastEnders airs these scenes on Monday, April 14 at 8pm on BBC One.

Bianca Butcher to dump Terry Spraggan

Bianca Butcher reaches a heartbreaking decision next week as she tells her partner Terry Spraggan that she can't be with him anymore.

Bianca (Patsy Palmer) ends her relationship with Terry (Terry Alderton) after realising that she is going through too much to be involved in a relationship at the moment.

The first sign of trouble arises when Terry comforts Bianca's stepdaughter Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) over her embarrassing attempt to kiss Johnny Carter.

While Terry is just being caring, Bianca completely misreads the situation when she walks in and spots them looking cosy. Exploding with anger, Bianca throws Terry out of her house - still haunted by what happened with Tony.
Bianca quickly realises that she has made a terrible mistake and eventually manages to reconcile with Terry, but their reunion doesn't last for long when the family receive more bad news.

When Bianca and her sister Sonia receive their gene test results, it's confirmed that one of them does have the faulty BRCA gene.

While we can't confirm which of Carol's daughters gets the news, it's this situation that pushes Bianca to end things with Terry…

EastEnders airs these scenes on Monday, April 7 at 8pm and Tuesday, April 8 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Sharon Rickman's new bar opens

Sharon Rickman opens her new bar next week.

 

Sharon (Letitia Dean) recently announced she is to launch her own business in Walford.

 

In upcoming scenes, the residents of Albert Square will turn up for the opening of Sharon's brand new bar.

 

Excited about the opening of their new establishment, Sharon and Phil (Steve McFadden) celebrate. As the pair share a kiss, will this be a new beginning for them as a couple?

 

On the night, Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer) enjoys the free drinks. A drunken Bianca spills a drink on Whitney and it's not long before she creates a scene.

 

When Phil looks over to see Bianca in a state, he is not happy. However, a quick-witted Sharon dives in and tries to cool Phil down.

 

Meanwhile, the Carter family arrive at the opening to support Johhny (Sam Strike) who has landed a job working behind the bar. But will things work out for Johnny?

 

These scenes air on Tuesday 1 April at 7.30pm and Friday 4 April at 8pm on BBC One.

 

 

Stacey to make another big decision

Stacey Branning has another important decision to make on EastEnders next week in the aftermath of Janine Butcher's murder trial.

Viewers have been wondering what the future holds for Stacey (Lacey Turner) after a jury found Janine not guilty in Thursday night's episode.

In the next visit to Walford on Monday (March 24), it's revealed that Janine has kept her promise to Kat Moon by dropping her false claims about being stabbed by Stacey.

The news means that Stacey can be on Albert Square without having to hide herself away, but as she comes face-to-face with many of its residents, not all of them give her a warm welcome back.

Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) is particularly unhappy as she is still unable to forgive Stacey for killing Archie.
A busy day for Stacey sees her attempt to make things right between Bianca (Patsy Palmer) and Kat after they fall out over the lies that Kat told about Alice.

Stacey also clears things up with her ex-lover Max (Jake Wood), making it clear that they'll only ever be friends despite their recent kiss.
Next on Stacey's list of people to see is Dot Branning (June Brown) and when the pair have a heart-to-heart, it hits home to Stacey that her late husband Bradley has had to pay for her sins.

Haunted by her mistakes, Stacey begins to wonder whether she can really stay on the Square and makes a big decision. What will she do?

EastEnders airs these scenes on Monday (March 24) at 8pm on BBC One.