Charlie Brooks, otherwise known as Janine Butcher, is to leave Eastenders early next year.
32-year-old Charlie said, “I decided a while ago it was time for me to leave Janine behind.”
The I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here winner is eager to explore new roles and will also star in a spin-off of the hit jungle show, hosted by Ant & Dec.
However Janine won’t be killed off in EastEnders, leaving the door open for a possible return.
Show bosses were dismayed at her decision to leave as they try reverse the drop in ratings to catch rivals Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Janine is set to leave the show next year
The BBC soap is now pinning its hopes on new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins who has already axed a number of characters.
Charlie said: “Janine still has a way to go yet and is never far from Walford.
“It may be more see you later than goodbye.”
The actress first quit in 2004, but was back in 2008 and remained until last year when she took an extended break to travel the world with daughter Kiki, and appear in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity.
She then returned to EastEnders in April of this year but will depart once more in early 2014.
