So who’s in? Who’s out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders.

The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character’s first appearance.

Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry)

When is Nish Panesar leaving? Early 2025.

It appears that nasty Nish Panesar is set to receive a final comeuppance as actor Navin Chowdhry bows out of the BBC One soap.

It’s been reported via The Sun that actor Chowdhry has quit the BBC soap after two years, with the publication quoting a source as saying: “It’s not known if Nish will be killed off, even though his health is suffering, but expect the exit to be very impactful and dramatic.

“Navin has made quite the impact on the show in the two years he has been a part of it, especially as a key part of the huge Christmas storyline with The Six. He’ll be missed by cast, crew and viewers alike.”

That’s an understatement, as Navin won the Best Villain award at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 for his turn as Nish!

RadioTimes.com has reached out to the BBC for comment on this storyline.

Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer)

When is Bianca Jackson leaving? Late 2024/early 2025.

Patsy Palmer is reprising her role as Bianca Jackson once again in EastEnders after returning in late September 2024.

However, once again, this is only for a short stint so she won’t be back on-screen permanently even if it is for a few weeks at least.

Bianca is still struggling with depression while plotting to expose killer Reiss and free her sister Sonia. B has also been reunited with her father David Wicks when he returned to Walford in October.

In November, Bianca was unlawfully imprisoned by Reiss in a storage facility after she found evidence confirming his lies about his wife Debbie’s death – proving he’s a killer.

Will Bianca be seen leaving Walford happier than when she left?

RETURNING

Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley)

When is Nigel Bates returning? February 2025.

Paul Bradley is reportedly reprising his iconic role as Nigel Bates in EastEnders for the 40th anniversary in February.

The Sun now reports that the former Holby City actor has filmed scenes for a return as the iconic 1990s fan-favourite to coincide with the show’s anniversary.

Nigel was last seen in 1998 leaving for a new life in Scotland with love interest Julie Haye (Karen Henworth) and step-daughter Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix).

During his tenure on the soap from 1992 to 1998, Nigel was a beloved loveable screw-up and a sidekick to Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).

Alongside his sweet friendship with Dot Cotton (June Brown), Nigel endured tragedy when he lost his wife Debbie Bates (Nicola Duffett) in a car crash and then had to raise her daughter Clare alone before once again finding love and leaving Walford.

Could Nigel be reunited with the Mitchell Brothers for the 40th anniversary of the soap? We’ll have to wait and see!

Shirley Carter (Linda Henry)

When is Shirley Carter returning to EastEnders? TBC.

EastEnders fan-favourite Shirley Carter made a surprise departure from Walford just after Christmas in 2022 following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter.

Deciding that there was nothing left for her in Walford, Shirley walked out of the Square with Lady Di the dog to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and her family, having said goodbye to friends Jean Slater and Denise Fox.

We then heard of Shirley in February 2023 when we learned that she had also reunited with her previously estranged son Dean Wicks off-screen, the man who had raped Mick’s true love, Linda Carter.

When Dean made his horrific return on Halloween, he claimed that Shirley had experienced a mental breakdown and had been institutionalised and after Linda wasn’t in contact with her, changed her number and wanted nothing to do with her.

Linda was distrustful of Dean’s claims but was unable to get through to Shirley, meaning her fate remains mysterious.

Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from the show and has been off our screens for nearly two years. Since then, Shirley’s son Dean finally admitted that he raped Linda Carter back in 2014 and has now been sentenced to nine years in prison.

However, the BBC confirmed to  at the time of her exit that Shirley had not left the soap for good and would return.

Chris Clenshaw also told us in Autumn 2023: “So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show.

“But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick’s disappearance, it won’t have been the last you see of her. I can say that for sure.”

Will we ever see Shirley Carter again?

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023?