EASTENDERS star Emma Barton will be taking a short break from the soap for an exciting new role.

The actress – who plays Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap – has been a beloved mainstay in Walford for more than 20 years.

But this Christmas she will be following in the footsteps of many of her co-stars and appearing in panto.

And the role is far from Emma’s EastEnders turn as the kind and lovely Honey Mitchell.

Instead she will be playing the wicked witch Carabosse at Torquay’s Princess Theatre’s production of Snow White.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: “Emma is delighted to be back on stage, working with Jordan Productions again, in Sleeping Beauty.

“With live music, stunning sets, slick choreography, sensational costumes and special effects, Sleeping Beauty promises to be Torquay’s most spectacular Pantomime ever.”

It is believed that Emma will only need to take a short break from the soap due to the Christmas filming break and that fans won’t notice her abscence.

EastEnders has been contacted for comment.

Likewise The Sun recently revealed that Emma’s co-star Ellie Dadd is also starring in panto this year.

The star, who plays Amy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, will be spending a few weeks away from the East End after bagging herself a brand new stage gig.

It has been confirmed that Ellie, 19, has landed a big-money panto gig in Croydon this year.

She will be taking on the iconic role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Croydon Fairfield Halls.

Ellie will be entertaining audiences nightly between Friday, December 12, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026.

She is the third EastEnders star to bag a panto role this year after Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, confirmed he would be appearing in The Alban Arena’s production of Aladdin.

Teen Ellie has played the role of Amy in the soap since 2022.