BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 Hopes for fan favourite return dashed following star's 'final' exit She's not coming back EastEnders Shirley Carter Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 EastEnders fans holding out for the return of Shirley Carter are to be left devastated at reports that actress Linda Henry has no intention of coming back. Linda left Albert Square in 2022, following the apparent death of son Mick… but fans have long hoped that she might return. However, such hopes seem to be in vain. The Sun is now reporting that star Linda actually ‘quit’ the soap in 2022, and will not be reprising the role. Has Linda Henry put her Walford days firmly behind her? Fans have been begging for Shirley to return (Credit: BBC) Shirley Carter return dashed following star’s ‘final’ exit A source told the tabloid this week: “Linda quit EastEnders in 2022.” They continued: “The door was left open for a return for Shirley in the future because she was such a fan favourite but it was a final exit. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers “Linda is very private and not one of the actors who wants to be a celebrity and didn’t want a big fuss so a lowkey exit made sense at the time.” When we last heard news of Shirley, she was struggling with her mental health following the death of sister Tina and son Mick. According to other son Dean, she had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. We haven’t seen or heard from the character since. Shirley joined the soap in 2006 (Credit: BBC) EastEnders fans devastated following ‘exit’ news As the news broke, fans took to social media to share their feelings of frustration and dismay. “Seeing that shirley isn’t ever returning has ruined my night?? missing her,” wrote one upset fan on X. “Ar shirley carter’s not returning. i need a moment,” sobbed another. It’s a shame Shirley’s actress has no intention of returning “Dean said Shirley had struggled with her mental health after Tina died . Some fans thought he was lying to get at Linda Now we’ll never know,” wrote a third, bemoaning the now very loose end. Will the soap ever be the same without Shirley? Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025
