EastEnders star Kellie Bright shed tears filming her last Christmas Day scenes with co-star Danny Dyer
(Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)EastEnders star Kellie Bright has admitted she “shed tears” as she filmed her final scenes with co-star Danny Dyer, which air on Christmas Day, as he leaves the soap after nine years.
The actress, 46, has worked side-by-side with Dyer, 45, ever since they arrived on Albert Square together in 2013, portraying married couple (and now exes) Linda and Mick Carter.
Speaking on Dyer’s emotional exit, Bright told the Mirror: “There were a lot of tears on and off screen from me, but I have spoken to him nearly every day - the reality is, he’s still my friend and still going to be in my life. It’s the end of a chapter.
“I’m not very good at saying goodbye at the best of times and everything about that job has been me and him. It did feel like the end.”
After saying their goodbyes on set, Bright shared that she remains in close contact with Dyer, following his departure, and is excited to see what’s next to come for her character, Linda.
“We’ve only just finished filming Christmas, so I’ve only just finished working with him, so at the moment it doesn’t feel that unusual because obviously we weren’t together all the time anyway,” she continued.
“I still speak to him most days! So it doesn’t feel too bad at the moment but it will obviously be different.
“I’m quite excited about what it might be like for Linda now. Obviously, she’s going to be sad for a little while because she’s there without him but it’s like having a blank canvas, this new chapter for her, and I honestly don’t know what they’ve got in store for her.”
Bright hinted at explosive scenes in EastEnders’ upcoming Christmas Day episode, as she teased that Dyer’s exit will be included in the festive storyline, with Mick’s love triangle with ex-wife Linda and his fiancée Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) coming to a head.
She told OK!: “I can tell you that it incorporates Danny’s exit from the show, I can tell you that it’s a combination of a Mick, Janine, and Linda triangle.”
In January, Dyer spoke about leaving EastEnders on his podcast Sorted with the Dyers, saying: “Let me tell you something - Mick’s exit is going to be a very, very powerful thing. I would love the door to be left open and, as far as I know, it is.
“But I just want to send out some love to everyone at EastEnders. I love you all very much.
“It’ll be a sad year for me, but I’m also very excited about it. So, we’re going to attack this year, and we’re going to make this year a f****** special one.”
