Samantha Womack has opened up about her upcoming departure from EastEnders, admitting her "heart is breaking".
The actress, who has played Ronnie Mitchell since 2007, and her on-air sister Roxy Mitchell, played by Rita Simons, will be leaving Walford later this year.
It is thought their final scenes will end during a New Year’s special but it is unclear exactly how they will leave and if the option for them to return will be there.
Posting a picture of herself and Rita on Twitter, Samantha wrote: "Multiple endings……… Do you know what you think you know??? Is it the end, will it end, who will go and how? Sisters together forever."
Shen then shared a fan video of some of the pair’s past scenes together, adding: "10 years of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell. My heart is breaking watching this."
It was previously reported that the EastEnders cast were unhappy the pair were leaving as they had not been consulted by bosses.
But it is understood Samantha made the decision to leave after she was offered a dramatic exit storyline by new producer Sean O’Connor.
Details of the plot are being kept a closely guarded secret but it is set to be explosive.
An insider told The Sun: "It was felt that with everything Ronnie has been through over the past nine years, it is now time to rest the character.
"She already has a few projects lined up so she won’t be off screen for long."