EastEnders actress Bonnie Langford to leave soap after almost four years as Carmel Kazemi

Langford has been at the centre of a heartbreaking storyline in recent months
Exit: Bonnie Langford will leave her role as Carmel Kazemi after three-and-a-half years
BBC
Natasha Sporn13 July 2018

Bonnie Langford is leaving EastEnders after almost four years playing Carmel Kazemi.

The actress, who first appeared in the soap in 2015, has become part of the Walford fabric and has recently been at the centre of one the most devastating storylines for many years.

Fans have lavished praised on Langford as Carmel has struggled to deal with the murder of her youngest son, Shakil, who died in May after being stabbed .

But Langford has now revealed that the evocative storyline leads to Carmel taking a break from Albert Square in the near future.

Mourners: Bonnie Langford has been at the centre of a heartbreaking storyline after the death of Shakil Kazemi
BBC

She told Metro.co.uk: “I’ve had a wonderful three and a half years at EastEnders and it’s been a privilege to be part of such an iconic show. My current storyline has been such an incredible experience and I’m honoured to be part of something so powerful and poignant.

“However as I’ve known since the beginning of this storyline, it would always lead to Carmel having to take a break from Walford.

“I’m not leaving just yet though and there is still plenty more to come from Carmel.”

A spokesperson for EastEnders confirmed to the publication that Langford was soon depart, adding that they “wish her all the best for the future”.

In a format-breaking episode for the soap last week, Carmel and her son Kush – played by Davood Ghadami – said goodbye to Shakil in a heartbreaking episode intertwined with real-life stories .

Bereaved parents who have lost children to knife crime, including Ben Kinsella’s father George, shared their harrowing accounts in the half-hour episode with their pictures shown in a haunting final scene .

EastEnders continues Friday at 8pm on BBC One.

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