EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks has revealed the ‘joys of unemployment’ after leaving the BBC soap in 2022.

Charlie has played Janine Butcher on and off since 1999, and her dramatic last tenure saw her tear Mick and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) apart before marrying him herself.

However, she ended up being sent to prison for perverting the court of justice, after her cruel plot against Linda was uncovered.

Janine had framed Linda for drink driving but was caught red-handed disposing of evidence in the back of a photograph.

When the truth was revealed on Christmas Day, a dramatic car chase ensued, resulting in Mick, Linda and Janine all plummeting into the sea after driving off a cliff.

While Linda and Janine got out safely, Mick wasn’t so lucky, and has been missing at sea ever since.

Having kept herself busy for a long time, she is now taking time to enjoy unemployment.

Taking to Instagram she wrote: ‘Life is good. As someone who is generally validated by work…Turns out being at home, chilling with my dog, taking long walks, reforming, reading and actually getting to hang out with my friends doing everything and nothing makes me really f***ing happy.’

This follows on from an earlier post in June, where she revealed that the ‘joys of unemployment’ meant ‘Getting to watch Martha Wainwright at union chapel with my gorgeous friend for belated birthday celebrations’.

She went on to add: ‘Having time to read her book. Martha was everything and more. Thank you.’

Since leaving EastEnders, Charlie has appeared on Dancing On Ice and in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, taking on the role of the iconic childcatcher.

Earlier this year, Charlie addressed the possibility of a return to the BBC soap for its 40th anniversary, but ruled it out before teasing what is her future plans.

‘I’m going straight back into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for a while, and then I probably need a little bit of time off,’ she told The Mirror in January.

‘And then we’re in talks about another theatre project at the moment, so I don’t know yet. I’m biding my time. So who knows.’