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EastEnders legend axed from soap in shock shake up after Shona McGarty quits

LORRAINE Stanley has been axed from EastEnders after seven years.

The 47-year-old, who plays matriarch Karen Taylor – is being written out of the BBC soap as part of a shock cast shake-up.

Lorraine Stanley - who plays Karen Taylor - is being written out of the soap
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Lorraine Stanley - who plays Karen Taylor - is being written out of the soapCredit: BBC
Lorraine is a fan favourite
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Lorraine is a fan favouriteCredit: Rex

It comes after The Sun revealed that Shona McGarty, 31, who has played Whitney Dean since she was 16, has quit after 15 years.

Lorraine will be written out at the end of the year.

A source said: “It’s always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters.

“Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans.”

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Lorraine has played downtrodden laundrette worker Karen on EastEnders since 2017.

The single mum, known for her bra strap always slipping down, rocked up to E20 with her children Keanu (Danny Walters), Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley and Chatham – played by real life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs.

The family have been embroiled in numerous dramatic storylines since including domestic abuse, poverty and racial profiling.

Earlier this month, Portsmouth-born Lorraine announced her engagement to her partner of nine years, Mark Perez. They have a daughter together.

Last month, EastEnders won the top prize at the British Soap Awards and is expected to scoop more at the Inside Soap Awards this year.

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw has made a series of bold moves, including bringing back stalwarts Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, and spiky Cindy, played by Michelle Collins.

Karen works in the launderette on the show
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Karen works in the launderette on the showCredit: BBC
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