Samantha Womack thanks fans for their support over the years as she prepares to leave EastEnders
Actress has expressed her gratitude after we revealed Ronnie Mitchell is leaving Albert Square for good
EASTENDERS star Samantha Womack has posted an emotional message online thanking fans for their support as she prepares to leave the soap for good.
The actress declared she is "very grateful" to have been part of the long-running BBC drama, but she is now set to bow out.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Samantha's character Ronnie Mitchell is going to be leaving Albert Square in dramatic fashion after nearly a decade in Walford.
The blonde beauty, 43, has now opened up about the news, revealing her exit from the show will be bitter sweet.
She also thanked fans for backing her over the years.
In a post on Twitter, she wrote: "Thank you SO much for all your kind words about me leaving EE...
"It's so humbling to know you loved Ronnie as much as I did! Very grateful Xxx."
A spokesperson for the show has also her departure will be part of a big storyline.
The representative said: "Samantha has created an iconic character in Ronnie Mitchell, having superbly played out many of EastEnders' biggest moments.
"However, Samantha was recently offered a big storyline which she happily accepted that leads to Ronnie departing Walford. We wish Samantha all the best for the future."
Her exit will come next year - exactly a decade after Samantha first joined the soap as feisty Ronnie Mitchell.
Ronnie has been part of some of Albert Square's most dramatic moments over the last 10 years.
The character has been involved in two murders, including bumping off her sister Roxy's boyfriend Carl White, and a controversial cot death baby swap.
Ronnie's infant son James passed away shortly after his birth and she ended up in prison after she swapped his body with Kat and Alfie's healthy baby Tommy.
The drastic move left the couple devastated as thought their own boy had died, but they eventually found out the truth about the baby swap.