EASTENDERS star Clair Norris has opened up about her devastating exit from the hit BBC One soap, admitting that she was upset by the decision to axe her.

The actress, 27, joined the cast as Bernie Taylor back in 2017, but following the departure of her entire family over the last few years,the soap’s top boss decided to axe her much-loved character.

However despite the “upsetting” decision, Clair now says she’s excited for the future.

Speaking on the red carpet at the British Soap Awards, which is being screened on ITV1 tomorrow night at 8pm, she said: “Obviously it’s upsetting but also I’d been there for eight years, which is a long time to play a character, and I have absolutely loved being in the show.

“They gave me the opportunity to learn on the job and also now I am able take that onto other things that I do.

“Of course it’s sad but at the same time it felt like a natural end, with the Taylors being gone, it kind of felt right. I’m now very excited about the future.”

Clair revealed how she took her character’s iconic coat as a memento as well as the Walford Pride t-shirt she wore during the soap’s first ever gay pride event.

She said: “I have taken Bernie’s coat. It was so iconic! And also the t-shirt that Bernie wore for Pride with ‘Walford Pride’ on it, little bits here and there. Also her badge when it was her birthday.”

The actress was keeping tight-lipped about the exact details of her exit, which she filmed last month, but teased that ‘bad Bernie’ will be back.

She said: “My exit is very Bernie, and it’s back to bad Bernie. It’s very dramatic, and must-watch, I’ve already filmed my exit and it will play out later this summer.”

So could we see the return of your mum Karen? “I couldn’t possibly say! Maybe, maybe not, you’ll all have to watch.”

Clair celebrated with the rest of the Albert Square cast, who picked up a whooping eight gongs on the night, and is now planning her next move.

She said: “My plan is to work out what I want to do. EastEnders is the only thing I’ve ever done, so all I know is soap.

“I came from college and went straight into it. I think having a varied career, going into theatre would be great, and also, doing a drama would be great. I’m open to anything.

“I’ve just been on holiday which was great and the perfect timing. And now I’m back it’s about getting cracking with show reels and self tapes.”