EastEnders exits are two a penny, but this fan favourite departure left us all in tears.
We watched as Tiffany Butcher-Baker waited at the tube station last night for estranged husband Keegan Baker, who never came, following her brother Liam Butcher’s meddling. So a heartbroken Tiff left Walford to build a new life in Germany and actress Maisie Smithsaid goodbye to a role she has been playing for the last 13 years.
Taking to Instagram the actress wrote, “Wow. EastEnders you have been a dream ❤️ lotta tears, lotta laughs and a whole lotta love. Episode 685 complete. Farewell Tiffany Butcher-Baker.”
The star first appeared on the show at the tender age of six, who can forget little Tiff’s first scenes with mum Bianca Jackson, homeless and having to sleep in a bus shelter.
The beloved character has been been at the centre of many big storylines over the years. From her close relationship with her older sister Whitney Dean, to being groomed by the evil Evie Steele and her turbulent relationship and later marriage to Keegan Baker.
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Maisie’s fellow co-stars took to Instagram to wish her well as she moves on to pastures new, Clair Norris who play’s Tiff’s best friend Bernadette Taylor wrote, “I’m so excited to see you fly!!! Bernie Is gonna be gutted tho 🥲”.
While Tiff’s husband Keegan, actor Zack Morris added, “The 'TIFF' to my 'GAN'. It’s been the best! Go out and smash it!🎉”.
While Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean wrote, “Oh Maisie 😢 ❤️ sisters4Eva xx” and Dotty Cotton actress, Milly Zero branded her a “Superstar”.
EastEnders shared a video of Maisie on Twitter, which also saw the star say goodbye to viewers.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to play Tiffany Butcher-Baker, and I’m really sad to leave,” she said in the emotional clip.
“But from me, it’s goodbye for now.”
It was reported earlier this year that Maisie had decided to leave the role following her appearance on 2020’s Strictly Come Dancing.
With her later saying in a statement, “It’s time to say farewell to Tiff! I’ve grown up on EastEnders since 2008 and have learnt from the best over the past 13 years”.
She continued, “I’m very excited for my next challenge and thank the BBC for the opportunity they gave me as a six-year-old," she continued in a statement.
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EastEnders boss Jon Sen in a statement said, “Maisie’s been a wonderful company member during her time at EastEnders and it's been a privilege to see her blossom into the star she is. She has created an iconic character in Tiff and the door is always open to her return. We wish her all the very best for her future projects.”
Asked on The One Show if she would ever make a comeback in the future, Maisie reassured fans, “Always. You never really leave EastEnders. They will always find a way to bring you back and I will definitely come back.”