Very EMOTIONAL News!!! EastEnders star marks one year since sad soap exit in nostalgic new post
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Former EastEnders star Clair Norris has marked one year since filming her final scenes as Bernie Taylor in an emotional social media post, looking back on her eight-year-long stint on the soap.
Norris’s final scenes as Bernie aired in July last year, seeing her fleeing to Spain with Felix Baker after stealing money from the Panesars. She argued her actions were justified as a form of revenge against Suki for the role she’d played in covering up Bernie’s brother Keanu’s death in the soap’s big Christmas whodunit.
Now, Norris has shared her thoughts one year after filming her exit, writing on Instagram: “This time last year…my last day filming EastEnders Vs my first day.”
She posted a carousel with a selfie from her final and first days on set, captioning the shots: “It’s been a year today since I filmed my last scene as Bernie and hung up her purple coat. Where has that time gone?!”
“I still remember my first day very clearly. I was obviously nervous, excited, my brain questioning, ‘Is this even real’, and a lot of self doubt… had they picked the right girl?” she continued.
“However, I left with so much confidence and belief in myself and that’s what this job gave me in abundance. I am still forever grateful for having eight years on Enders. I learnt from the very best and it has given me a platform to keep inspiring & be inspired.
“A trip down memory lane and what a whirlwind memory to have.”
EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley, who played Bernie’s mum Karen until 2024, commented on the post in a sweet message.
“So many good memories made with you,” she wrote. “Bernie is a such a wonderful character & I’m glad I got to play your Mum. We really did have the best time! And laughed so much. Bug hugs Xxxx Mummy T.”
Norris replied with a heart emoji: “Mummy T!! We sure did have the best time and you were my rock there!!”
Speaking on her exit last year, Norris told The Sun: “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.”
EastEnders star Clair Norris has marked one year since her exit from the BBC soap and fans still aren’t over it.
The Bernie Taylor actress took to Instagram to share some throwback snaps of her first and last days on set.
‘This time last year…my last day filming EastEnders Vs my first day,’ she wrote in the caption.
‘It’s been a year today since I filmed my last scene as Bernie and hung up her purple coat. Where has that time gone?!’
Reflecting on her time on the show, she continued: ‘I still remember my first day very clearly. I was obviously nervous, excited, my brain questioning “is this even real”, and a lot of self doubt…had they picked the right girl?
‘However, I left with so much confidence and belief in myself and that’s what this job gave me in abundance. I am still forever grateful for having eight years on Enders. I learnt from the very best and it has given me a platform to keep inspiring & be inspired.
‘A trip down memory lane and what a whirlwind memory to have.’
Bernie was at the heart of Albert Square from 2017 until her exit in 2025. During that time, she had some major storylines, including a teen pregnancy, miscarriage and being a surrogate.
One of her final storylines saw her lose brother Keanu Taylor after he was murdered by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) on Christmas Day in 2023. Bernie later found out the truth about his death and blackmailed The Six with her knowledge.
In 2025, Bernie was listed as the trustee to Nish Panesar’s businesses after his death, and she wasted no time in stealing a significant sum of the money, before leaving the Square to reunite with her family.
Fans still fondly remember Bernie, and took to the comments of Clair’s post to share how missed she is.
‘We miss you on the show,’ one said, while another added: ‘We love and miss Bernie!’
‘Proud of your journey and all the storylines you tackled,’ a third said.
Her former co-stars were also quick to share the love, with Lorraine Stanley, who played Bernie’s on-screen mum Karen Taylor, writing a sweet message.
‘So many good memories made with you,’ she said.
‘Bernie is a such a wonderful character & I’m glad I got to play your Mum. We really did have the best time! And laughed so much,’ she continued, signing off: ‘Bug hugs Xxxx Mummy T.’