EastEnders has confirmed Louise Mitchell will exit the soap in the new year.

The character has been portrayed by actress Tilly Keeper since 2016 but she is set to bow out in a dramatic upcoming storyline.

"I have loved playing Louise Mitchell over these past few years, and I feel honoured to have been part of such an iconic show," Tilly said.

"Working with our incredible cast and crew has been a joy and I shall miss my EastEnders family greatly."

BBC

Related: EastEnders reveals first look at Louise Mitchell's baby joy in 25 new spoiler pictures

EastEnders 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 for in all her future endeavours."

Louise's Walford exit comes just weeks after the announcement that Keanu Taylor actor Danny Walters will exit the soap this Christmas.

Louise is expecting the couple's first child together, with Louise currently unaware that Keanu is also the father of her step-mother Sharon Mitchell's (Letitia Dean) baby.

BBC

Related: EastEnders' Phil Mitchell is finally suspicious of Sharon's affair

Much speculation has taken place as to how Keanu will leave EastEnders.

But with Phil (Steve McFadden) inching ever closer to finding out about the affair between he and Sharon, some viewers have a theory that things could turn deadly.

Stay tuned to find out how both Keanu's and Louise's exits go down.

EastEnders airs Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.

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