One EastEnders favourite has left the BBC One soap to embark on a brand-new project away from the cameras.
Tameka Empson – who plays Kim Fox in Albert Square – has decided to take a break from the long-running show for a new business venture. One Monday night (January 22), the 46-year-old appeared on The One Show where she shared the news with fans tuning in.
Speaking about her role on the show, she reassured fans that she will be back in the near future while she pursues a new opportunity. She told fans: “Kim’s gonna be okay!
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“She’s gonna be okay – she’s going on a nice cruise with Howie and the children. She will be enjoying herself. She’ll be fine!” Tameka revealed the ‘Kimfluencer’ will not be killed off during her time away from the show.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
The actor insisted: “It’s given me a little bit of a break to do a project that I’m so passionate about.” During her time away from Walford, Tameka is set to join the cast of The Big Life at the Statford East Theatre.
The show is set to start in February, with the actress playing the role of Mrs Aphrodite. Not only is Tameka one of the stars of the show, she also co-wrote the musical. The Big Life combines Shakespeare’s Love Labours Lost with tales of the Windrush immigration.
The historical musical follows the lives of four men onboard the HMT Empire Windrush as they land in the UK. It doesn’t take long before they find themselves in a whole world of trouble when the meet a group of women. It will run from February 16 to March 30 2024.
(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, her EastEnders character Kim has had a tough time in Albert Square after she crashed her car after she discovered her sister Denise’s affair with Ravi Gulati. Kim spotted text messages on her sister’s phone from the bad boy moments before she lost control of the car and swerved to avoid a pedestrian.
Denzel Danes was seriously injured in the crash and her relationship with Howie immediately became strained. Luckily, the pair were able to work through their differences, with Howie becoming a supportive figure through Kim’s prison ordeal.
She was also diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which dramatically knocked her confidence. Howie’s continued support allowed Kim to start making videos online again.
It has not yet been confirmed how long Kim will be away from the Square. In spoilers for this week, it has been confirmed that there will be four departures from the soap, including one resident who will be making a permanent exit from the show.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
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While it’s thought all four characters who leave this week will be back on screen soon, there’s a chance that only three of the four regulars will be back on screen. That’s because one of the names was confirmed to be leaving the show after 15 years just a few months ago.
As for the other three, some family news and a business opportunity will see them saying farewell to Walford, but they are thought to be returning in the near future. That said, it has not been specified how long they will be gone for or when they will be back.
The characters making sudden exits from the show include Martin Fowler, Whitney Dean, Kim Fox and Howie Danes. Viewers will have to stay tuned to see how they will leave the Square this week.
EastEnders airs on weekdays from 7.30pm on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
