EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders almost saw the premature exit of a major character after a star nearly quit in protest.
EastEnders fans were almost forced to say goodbye to Shirley Carter (played by Linda Henry) years before her eventual exit in 2022.
Linda Henry joined BBC’s Albert Square in 2006 as the tough and no-nonsense Shirley against the wishes of ex-husband Kevin Wicks (Phil Daniels) to introduce herself to her adult kids.
Despite her fiery personality, she quickly became a fan-favourite and known as the uncompromising matriarch.
Among her many storylines was her toxic relationship with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and sordid details about her true relation to Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), who was initially thought to be her brother.
However, these may have never transpired on screens if Henry wasn’t convinced to stay on the soap after threatening to quit EastEnders.
Shirley Carter was played by Linda Henry (Image: BBC)
In 2012, the actress was ready to abandon her character after it was revealed that Shirley’s best friend, Heather Trott (Chery Fergison), would be killed off.
Their unlikely friendship was adored by viewers as it displayed a softer side of Shirley, who felt protective of her sensitive and shy pal.
Much to the disbelief of many, Heather was killed off by Shirley’s stepson Ben Mitchell after he mistakenly believed she knew who set up his father, Phil, to be arrested.
Recalling her last day on set, Fergison told Express.co.uk via Casino.org: “After my final scene, I was really upset. All I wanted to do was jump in the car with Linda and head back to hers for a cup of tea, have a chat, or maybe even have a cry.
Linda starred on EastEnders as Shirley, Heather’s best friend (Image: BBC)
“But Linda was nowhere to be seen—she was so upset when she found out I was leaving that she even threatened to leave EastEnders herself.
“Luckily, I managed to calm her down, and she decided to stay,” eventually Fergison was cheered up with a surprise leaving party at the BBC bar.
It was another decade before Henry’s official exit, which was sparked by the death of her son Mick.
After telling Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) that Walford no longer felt like home, Shirley left to live with her daughter Carly Wicks (Kellie Shirley), leaving her daughter-in-law Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and grandsons as her only relatives on Albert Square.
