Polly Perkins Leaving EastEnders

EastEnders has confirmed that actress Polly Perkins will leave the show later this year.

Perkins joined the cast of the soap last year to play Rose Cotton, the often referred to half-sister of Dot (June Brown) who had a long-term affair with Dot’s first husband Charlie Cotton (Christopher Hancock).

When the character was introduced to viewers last year it was revealed that Charlie had entered into a bigamous marriage with Rose and had fathered her son Andrew (Ricky Grover). Although hurt by the revelations to begin with, Dot later forgave her sister.

Perkins’ future on the serial was in some doubt after actress June Brown hinted that she was leaving in a recent interview. Bosses have now confirmed to entertainment news website Digital Spy that Perkins will indeed be leaving the show ‘later this year’.

A spokesperson told the website “Polly Perkins will be departing EastEnders later this year, however there is always scope for her to return in the future”

June Brown is currently on a break from EastEnders but the BBC has insisted that she will return later this year.

The departure of Perkins comes at a time when the show is under fire for the number of younger characters in its cast.