EastEnders’ Tilly Keeper is leaving the soap after four years as Louise Mitchell
TILLY Keeper is to leave EastEnders after four years.
The 22-year-old actress - who plays Louise Mitchell in the BBC soap - will bow out in a dramatic storyline in the new year, The Sun Online can exclusively reveal.
Tilly told The Sun Online: "I have loved playing Louise Mitchell over these past few years, and I feel honoured to have been part of such an iconic show.
"Working with our incredible cast and crew has been a joy and I shall miss my EastEnders family greatly."
Executive producer Jon Sen added: "Tilly has been an incredible asset to the EastEnders cast and a wonderful company member. Her portrayal of Louise Mitchell over the past years has been a joy to watch.
";We wish her well in all her future endeavours."
Tilly has played Louise since 2016, becoming the fourth actress to take on the role.
Her exit will come after the explosive events at Christmas which will see her devastated by the news that her boyfriend Keanu Taylor had an affair and a baby with step-mum Sharon Mitchell.
An insider added to The Sun Online: "It’s well known that Sharon and Keanu’s secret is set to explode this Christmas and as the truth finally comes out, the impact on the Mitchells will be huge.
"Bosses are staying tight lipped about what is set to happen to all involved but it’s set to be an explosive Christmas."
The storyline will see Keanu leave Walford one way or another after actor Danny Walters quit the soap.
Soap bosses have promised the plot will change Walford forever.
The official synopsis reads: "Secrets and lies are set to explode in Walford this Christmas, leaving more than one family left torn apart forever…
"Sharon and Keanu have been harbouring their secret for months but they should know that secrets never stay secret in Albert Square.
"As their lies begin to unravel it’s only a matter of time until Phil finds out the truth and when he does, there will only be one thing on his mind… revenge."
Viewers will watch this week as Louise goes into early labour with her baby Peggy.
The tot will be named after her great grandmother in a touching tribute to EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor.